Zihxavy  of  ^he  theological  ^eminarjp 

PRINCETON  •  NEW  JERSEY 
PRESENTED  BY 

Rufus  K.  LeFevre 

.5Z.A\ 
1^0^ 


r- 


JUN  11  i95g 


Origin  J  'Doctrine,  Constti 
and 


Discipline 


of  the 


United  brethren  in   Christ 


Otterhtin   Press 

United   "Brethren   Publishing  U»use 

Dayton,  Ohio 

1909 

W.  %.  FUNK,  Publisher 


Edited  by  the  Codifying  Committee 
by  Authority  of  the  General  Conference 


CONTENTS. 


PART  I. 

THE    CIIURCir. 
CHAPTER  PAGE 

I.     Origin  of  the  Church.  .-. r> 

IT.     Confession  of  Faith 14 

III.  Constitution  17 

PART  II. 
membership,  government,  and  ministry. 

IV.  Members 21 

Reception  of  Members 21 

Duties  of  Members 23 

Trial  of  Members 2G 

Transfer  and  Withdrawal  of  Members 29 

V.  GoVERiVMENT    OF    THE    ClIURCH 32 

Classes    32 

Class-Leaders    32 

Class-Stewards 33 

Church   Deacons    34 

Church  Clerk  34 

Official   Boards    35 

Quarterly  Conference  30 

Annual  Conference  39 

General   Conference    41 

General  Church  Treasurer 45 

Orphanages  and  Old  People  s  Homes 45 

VI.  Ministry  of  the  Church 47 

Lay  Preachers   47 

Quarterly-Conference  Preachers 47 

Annual-Conference    Preachers    49 

Reception      of      Preachers      from      Other 

Churches    52 

Classificatiou  of  the  Ministry 52 

V 


VI  CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  ,  PAGE 

VI.  Ministry  of  the  Church,  continued. 

Elders    53 

Presiding  Eiders    55 

Bisliops    57 

Trial  of  Preachers CO 

INIarriage — Who  May    Solemnize G3 

Preachers'  Duties  in  General 03 

VII.  Itinerancy    65 

Itinerants   •  •  •  • 65 

Duties  of  Itinerants 66 

Preachers'  Salaries 69 

Ministerial    Relief    Bureau 70 

VIII.  Deaconesses    72 

In  Local  Churches 72 

Deaconess*    Homes    73 

Course  of  Study 73 

German  Course  of  Study 74 

IX.  Cot^rses  of  Study 76 

l^^or   Quarterly-Conference   Preachers 76 

For  Annual-Conference  Preachers 77 

German  Course  of  Reading 80 

Completing  the   Course 81 

X.  Appeals    82 

From  the  Decision  of  a  Class 82 

From   the   Decision  of   a   Quarterly   Confer- 
ence      82 

Court  of  Appeals 82 

PART  III. 

MORAL    reform. 

XI.  Special  Rules 84 

Temperance    84 

Sabbath  Observance 85 

Slavery    85 

Secret   Combinations    85 

Oaths 86 

War   86 

The  Family    86 


CONTENTS  VU 

PART  IV. 

PROPERTY. 
CHAPTER  PAGE 

XII.  CnuRcn-IIousES  and  Parsonages 87 , 

XIII.  Board  of  Church  Trustees Ul 

PART  V. 

departments  for  christian  instruction  and  training. 

XIV.  Sunday    School,    Brotherhood,    and    Young 

People's  Work 92 

Constitution  of  Board  of  Control 92 

Annual-Conference  Relations  and  Duties...  95 

Sunday-School  Work   96 

Constitution  for  a  Sunday  School 9G 

Brotherhood  Work    98 

Constitution  for  Brotherhood  Work 98 

Young  People's   Work 101 

Constitution  of  Christian  Endeavor  Society.  101 

Constitution  for  Junior  Society 108 

Constitution     for     Conference    Branch     En- 
deavor Union   112 

XV.  Christian  Stewardship  Commission 115 

PART  VI. 
benevolent  and  educational  institutions. 

XVI.  Home  Missionary  Society — Constitution . . .  117 

XVII.  Foreign   Missionary  Society — Constitution.  123 

XVIII.  Woman's   Missionary   Association 131 

Articles  of   Incorporation 131 

General   Constitution    . 131 

Branch    Constitution    . 130 

Local  Constitution    138 

Constitution     of     Y^oung     Women's     Mission 

Bands    139 

XIX.  Women's   Aid    Societies 141 

XX.  Church  Erection  Society 144 

XXI.  Printing  Establishment  and  Church  Pub- 

lications     150 

Printing  Establishment 150 

Church  Publications 152 


Vlll 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  TAGE 

XXII.  Education    154 

Constitution  of  the  Board  of  Edncatiou ....    154 

Academies 157 

Colleges 157 

Bonebrake   Theological    Seminary 159 

XXIII.  Historical  Society 163 

General  Conference  Approval 163 

Constitution   163 

PART  VII. 
boundaries. 

XXIV.  Bishops'  Districts 167 

XXV.  Annual-Conference   Districts 168 


PART  VIII. 

formulas  and  forms.     . 

XXVI.  Formulas    177 

Reception  of  Members 177 

Tlie  Baptism  of  Adults 178 

The    Baptism    of    Children 180 

The    Holy    Communion. 180 

Ordination    of    Elders 181 

Consecration  of  a  Home  Missionary 183 

Consecration  of  a  Foreign  Missionary 184 

Consecration    of    a    Deaconess 186 

Ijaying  Corner-Stone    , 188 

Church    Dedication    189 

IMarriage    Ceremony    192 

Marriage  Ceremony  with  Ring 194 

Burial  of  the  Dead 195 

The    Lord's    Prayer 196 , 

The    Apostles'    Creed 196 

XXVII.  Forms    198 

Certificates    and    Licenses 198 

Bequests      '■ 200 

Reports      202 

Contribution    Cards   207 

Index   209 


DISCIPLINE. 


PAKT  1. 

The  Church. 
chapter  i. 

Origin  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

In  the  eighteenth  century  it  pleased  the  Lord  our  God  to 
awaken  persons  in  different  parts  of  the  world,  who  should 
raise  up  the  Christian  religion  from  its  fallen  state  and 
preach  the  gospel  of  Christ  crucified  in  its  purity. 

About  the  middle  of  said  century,  the  Lord,  in  mercy, 
remembered  the  Germans  in  America,  who,  living  scat- 
tered in  this  extensive  country,  seldom  had  an  opportunity 
to  hear  the  gospel  of  a  crucified  Savior  preached  to  them 
in  their  native  language. 

Among  others,  he  raised  up  William  Otterbein  and 
Martin  Boehm,  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  George 
A.  GuETHiNG,  in  the  State  of  Maryland,  armed  them  with 
spirit,  grace,  and  strength  to  labor  in  his  neglected  vine- 
yard, and  to  call,  among  the  Germans  in  America,  sinners 
to  repentance.  These  men  obeyed  the  call  of  their  Lord 
and  Master.  Their  labors  were  blessed,  and  they  estab- 
lished in  many  places  excellent  societies  and  led  many 
precious  souls  to  Jesus  Christ.  Their  sphere  of  action 
spread  more  and  more,  so  that  they  found  it  necessary  to 
look  about  for  more  fellow-laborers  to  toil  in  the  vineyard 
of   the   Lord ;    for  the   harvest   was   great  and   the   laborers 

9 


10  DISCIPLINE 

were  few.  The  Lord  called  others,  who  wore  willing  to 
devote  their  strength  to  his  service.  Such  persons  were 
accepted  by  one  or  another  of  the  preachers  as  fellow- 
laborers. 

The  number  of  members  in  the  society  in  different  parts 
of  the  country  continued  to  increase  as  time  passed,  and 
the  gracious  work  of  reformation  spread  through  the 
States  of  Pennsylvania.  Maryland,  and  Virginia.  Several 
great  meetings  were  appointed  and  held  annually.  On 
such  occasions  Otterbein  would  hold  particular  conver- 
sations with  the  preachers  then  present,  and  represent  to 
them  the  importance  of  the  ministry  and  the  necessity  of 
their  utmost  endeavors  to  save  souls.  At  one  of  these  meet- 
ings/it  was  resolved  to  hold  a  conference  of  all  the  preach- 
ers, in  order  to  consider  in  what  manner  they  might  be 
most/useful. 

The  first  conference  was  held  in  the  city  of  Baltimore, 
Maryland,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1789.  The  following 
preachers  were  present : 

William  i^TERBEiN,  Adam  Lehman, 

Marti^JSoehm,  John  ErNj^t, 

*"        Geo.  a.  Guething,  Henry  Weidner, 

Christian  Newcomer. 

The  second  conference  wg.^  held  in  Paradise  To^fchip, 
York  County,  Pennsylvank,  at  the  house  of  B^H'HER 
John  Spangler,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1791.  The  fol- 
lowing preachers  were  present : 

William  Otterbein,  .Toiix  Ernst, 

Martin  Boehm,  J.  G.  Pfrimmer, 

Geo.  a.  Guething,  John  Neidig. 

Christian  Newcomer,        Benedict  Sanders, 
Adam  Lehman. 

After  mature  deliberations  as  to  how  they  might  labor 
most  usefully  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  they  again  ap- 
pointed as  fellow-laborers  such  as  they  had  come  to  be- 
lieve had  experienced  true  religion  in  their  souls. 

Meantime,  the  number  of  members  continued  to  increase, 
and  the  preachers  were  obliged  to  appoint  an  annual  con- 
ference, in  order  to  unite  themselves  more  closely  and  to 
labor  more  successfully  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord :  for 
some  had  been  Presbyterians  or  German  Reformed,  some 
Lutherans,    and   others    Mennonitos.       They   accordingly   ap- 


ORIGIN    OF    THE    CHURCH  11 

pointed  a  conference  to  be  held  on  the  25th  of  September, 
1800,  in  Frederick  County,  Maryland,  at  the  house  of 
Brother  Frederick  Kemp.  The  following  preachers  were 
present : 

William  Ottekbeix,  Christian  Krum, 

Martin  Boehm,  Henry  Krum. 

Geo.  a.  Guething,  .John  Hershey, 

Christian  Ne\vcomer,  .Jacob  Geisinger, 

Adam  Lehman,  Henry  Boehm, 

Abraham  Troxel,  Dietrich  Aurand, 
J.  G.  Pfrimmer. 

There  they  united  themselves  into  a  society  which  bears 
the  name  "United  Brethren  in  Christ,"  and  elected 
William  Otterbein  and  Martin  Boehm  as  superintend- 
ents, or  bishops,  and  agreed  that  each  of  them  should 
have  liberty  as  to  the  mode  of  baptism,  to  administer  it 
according  to  his  own  convictions. 

From  this  time,  the  society  increasing  still  more  and 
more,  preachers  w^ere  appointed  to  travel  regularly,  as  the 
number  of  preaching-places  could  not  otherwise  be  sup- 
plied. Tlie  work  soon  extended  into  the  States  of  Ohio  and 
Kentucky.  It  then  became  necessary  to  appoint  a  con- 
ference in  the  State  of  Ohio,  because  it  was  thought  too 
laborious  for  the  preachers  who  labored  in  those  States 
to  travel  annually  such  a  great  distance  to  conference. 

Meantime,  Martin  Boehm  and  George  A.  Guething 
died,  and  Bishop  Otterbein  desired  that  another  bishop 
should  be  elected,  (because  infirmity  and  old  age  would 
not  permit  him  to  superintend  any  longer,)  who  should 
take  charge  of  the  society,  and  preserve  discipline  and' 
order.  It  was  resolved  at  a  former  conference  that  when- 
ever one  of  the  bishops  died  another  should  be  elected  \m 
his  place.  Accordingly,  Christian  Newcomer  was  elected 
bishop,  to  take  charge  of  and  superintend  the  concerns  of 
the  society. 

The  want  of  a  book  of  discipline  in  the  society  had  long- 
been  deeply  felt.  Partial  attempts  to  provide  one  had  been 
made  at  different  times.  Hence  it  was  resolved,  at  the 
conference  held  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  that  a  General  Con- 
ference should  be  held,  in  order  to  provide  the  same,  in  a 
manner  not  derogatory  to  the  Word  of  God.  The  members 
of  this  conference  were  to  be  elected  from  among  the 
preachers  in   the  different  parts  of  the  country,   by  a  vote 


jJZ  DISCIPLINc 

of  the  society  in  general.      The  following  brethren  were  duly 
elected  : 

Christian  Newcomer.  Daniel  Tkoyer, 

Abraham  Hiestand,  George  Benedum, 

Andrew  Zeller,  Abraham  Tkoxel, 

Christian  Berger.  Henry  G.   Spayth. 

Abraham  Mayer,  I.  Niswander, 

John  Schneider.  Christian  Krum, 

Henry  Kumler,  .Tacob  Bowlus. 

The  conference  convened  on  the  6th  of  June,  1815.  near 
Mt.  Pleasant,  Westmoreland  County,  Pennsylvania.  After 
mature  deliberation,  they  presented  to  their  brethren  a 
Book  of  Discipline,  containing  the  doctrine  and  rules  of 
the  Church,  desiring  that  these,  together  with  the  Word 
of  God,  should  be  strictly  observed,  and  admonishing  the 
membership  in  the  following  manner : 

God  is  a  God  of  order  ;  but  where  there  is  no  order  and 
no  church  discipline,  the  spirit  of  love  and  charity  will  be 
lost. 

Therefore,  brethren,  we  beseech  you  to  follow  the  ex- 
ample of  our  Lord,  as  it  is  written,  "Be  kindly  affectioned 
one  to  another  with  brotherly  love ;  in  honor  preferring 
one  another."  Let  the  mind  be  in  you  which  was  in 
Christ,  who  took  upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant,  hum- 
bled himself,  and  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the 
death  of  the  cross,  that  by  h>s  grace  we  may  submit  our- 
selves one  to  another  in  the  fear  of  God.  He  who  will  not 
submit  is  in  want  of  humble  love.  Jesus  said,  "Whosoever 
of  you  will  be  the  chiefest,  shall  be  servant  of  all."  "By 
this  shall  all  men  know  that  ye  are  my  disciples,  if  ye  have 
love  one  to  another."  "He  that  loveth  not  his  brother 
abideth  in  death."  Let  us  walk  in  newness  of  life,  that 
the  prayer  of  our  Lord  may  be  answered  in  us ;  that  we 
may  be  one  in  him,  and  that  he  may  give  us  the  glory 
which  he  gave  to  his  disciples,  that  we  may  be  one,  even 
as  he  and  the  Father  are  one.  Therefore,  beloved  breth- 
ren, let  us  strive  to  be  like-minded,  having  the  same  love, 
being  of  one  accord,  of  one  mind.  Let  no  one  speak  or 
think  evil  of  his  brother,  but  pray  God  that  he  may  grant 
us  his  spirit,  ani  an  earnest  desire  to  lead  a  truly  devoted 
life,  to  the  honor  and  glory  of  his  holy  name.      Amen. 

Kditors'  Note. — The  foregoing  account  of  the  origin  of  the 
Chukch  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  appeared  in  the 


ORIGIN    OF    THE    CHURCH  lij 

Discipline  of  1815,  the  first  Discipline  published.  Only  the 
slightest  changes  in  phraseology,  as  the  years  have  passed,  have 
been  made.  The  place  of  the  Conference  of  1800,  given  as 
Frederick  Kemp's,  is  the  same  as  the  residence  of  Peter  Kemp, 
as  in  the  history  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  the  two  men 
being  father  and  son,  and  the  farm  passing  from  the  possession 
of  one  to  that  of  the  other.  The  present  Discipline  contains 
the  Confession  of  Faith  and  the  Constitution  as  amended  ac- 
cording to  the  action  of  the  General  Conference  of  1885,  and 
approved  and  confirmed  by  the  General  Conference  of  1889. 
The  Confession  of  Faith  appeared  in  its  first  printed  form  in 
1815.  The  Constitution,  in  its  earlier  form,  was  adopted  in 
1841. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Confession  of  Faith. 

In   the  name  of  God,   we  declare  and  confess   before  all 
men  the  following  articles  of  our  belief : 

ARTICLE   I. 

Of  God  and  the  Holy  Trinity. 
We  believe  in   the   only  true  God,   the   Father,    the   Son, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost ;  that  these  three  are  one— the  Father 
in   the   Son,   the   Son   in   the   Father,   and   the   Holy   Ghost 
equal  in  essence  or  being  with  the  Father  and  the  Son. 

ARTICLE   II. 

Of  Creation  and  Providence. 
We  believe  that  this  triune  God  created  the  heavens  and 
the  earth,  and  all  that  in  them  is,  visible  and  invisible ; 
that  he  sustains,  protects,  and  governs  these,  with  gra- 
cious regard  for  the  welfare  of  man,  to  the  glory  of  his 
name. 

ARTICLE  III. 

Of  Jesus  Christ. 
We  believe  in  Jesus  Christ ;  that  he  is  very  God  and 
man ;  that  he  became  incarnate  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  was  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary ;  that  he  is  the 
Savior  and  Mediator  of  the  whole  human  race,  if  they 
w'ith  full  faith  accept  the  grace  proffered  in  Jesus ;  that 
this  Jesus  suffered  and  died  on  the  cross  for  us,  was  bur- 
ied, rose  again  on  the  third  day,  ascended  into  heaven, 
and  sitteth  on  the  right  hand  of  God,  to  intercede  for  us ; 
and  that  he  will  come  again  at  the  last  day  to  judge  the 
living  and  the  dead. 

ARTICLE   IV. 

Of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
We  believe  in   the  Holy  Ghost ;   that  he  is  equal  in   be- 
ing with   the   Father  and   the   Son ;   that   he  convinces   the 

14 


CO^irFESSION    OF    FAITH  15 

world   of  sin.  of   righteousness,    and   of  judgment ;    that    he 
comforts  the  faithful-  and  guides  them  into  all  truth. 

AETICLE   V. 

Of  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

We  believe  that  the  Holy  Bible,  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments, is  the  word  of  God ;  that  it  reveals  the  only  true 
way  to  our  salvation ;  that  every  true  Christian  is  bound 
to  acknowledge  and  receive  it  by  the  help  of  the  Spirit  of 
God  as  the  only  rule  and  guide  in  faith  and  practice. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

Of  the  Church. 

We  believe  in  a  holy  Christian  church,  composed  of  true 
believers,  in  which  the  word  of  God  is  preached  by  men 
divinely  called,  and  the  ordinances  are  duly  administered ; 
that  this  divine  institution  is  for  the  maintenance  of  wor- 
ship, for  the  edification  of  believers,  and  the  conversion  of 
the  world  to  Christ. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

Of  the  Sacraments. 

We  believe  that  the  sacraments.  Baptism  and  the  Lord's 
Supper,  are  to  be  used  in  the  Church,  and  should  be  prac- 
ticed by  all  Christians ;  but  the  mode  of  baptism  and  the 
manner  of  observing  the  Lord's  Supper  are  always  to  be 
left  to  the  judgment  and  understanding  of  each  individual. 
Also,  the  baptism  of  children  shall  be  left  to  the  judg- 
ment of  believing  parents. 


The  example  of  the  washing  of  feet  is  t*o  be  left  to  the 
judgment  of  each  one.  to  practice  or  not. 

ARTICLE   VIII. 

Of  Depravity. 
We  believe  that  man  is  fallen  from  original  righteous- 
ness, and,  apart  from  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
is  not  only  entirely  destitute  of  holiness,  but  is  inclined  to 
evil,  and  only  evil,  and  that  continually ;  and  that  except 
a  man  be  born  again  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 


16  DISCIPLINE 

ARTICLE    IX. 

Of  Justification. 

We  believe  that  penitent  sinners  are  justified  before  God 
only  by  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  not  by  works  ; 
yet  that  good  works  in  Christ  are  acceptable  to  God,  and 
spring  out  of  a  true  and  living  faith. 

ARTICLE    X. 

Of  Regeneration  and  Adoption. 

We  believe  that  regeneration  is  the  renewal  of  the  heart 
of  man  after  the  image  of  God,  through  the  word,  by  the 
act  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  which  the  believer  receives  the 
spirit  of  adoption,  and  is  enabled  to  serve  God  with  the 
will   and   the  affections. 

ARTICLE    XI. 

Of  Sanctification. 
We  believe  that  sanctification  is  the  work  of  God's 
grace,  through  the  word  and  the  Spirit,  by  which  those 
who  have  been  born  again  are  separated  in  their  acts, 
words,  and  thoughts  from  sin,  and  are  enabled  to  live 
unto  God,  and  to  follow  holiness,  without  which  no  man 
shall  see  the  Lord. 

ARTICLE   XII. 

Of  the  Christian  i^ahhath. 
We  believe  that  the  Christian  Sabbath  is  divinely  ap- 
pointed ;  that  it  is  commemorative  of  our  Lord's  resurrec- 
tion from  the  grave,  and  is  an  emblem  of  our  eternal  rest ; 
that  it  is  essential  to  the  welfare  of  the  civil  community, 
and  to  the  permanence  and  growth  of  the  Christian  church, 
and  that  it  should  be  reverently  observed  as  a  day  of  holy 
rest  and  of  social  and  public  worship. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

Of  the  Future  State. 
We   believe    in    the   resurrection    of   the   dead ;    the   future 
general    judgment ;    and    an    eternal    state    of    rewards,    in 
which  the  righteous  dwell  in  endless  life,  and  the  wicked   in 
endless  pHnishment. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Constitution. 

In  the  name  of  God,  we,  the  members  of  the  Church  of 
THE  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  for  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ,  for  the 
more  speedy  and  effectual  spread  of  the  gospel,  and  in 
order  to  produce  and  secure  uniformity  in  faith  and  prac- 
tice, to  define  the  powers  and  business  of  the  General  Con- 
ference as  recognized  by  this  Church,  and  to  preserve  in- 
violate the  popular  will  of  the  membership  of  the  Church, 
do  ordain  this  Constitution  : 

article  I. 

Section  1.  All  ecclesiastical  power  herein  granted  to 
enact  or  repeal  any  rule  or  rules  of  Discipline  is  vested  in 
a  General  Conference,  which  shall  consist  of  elders  and 
laymen  elected  in  each  annual-conference  district  through- 
out the  Church.  The  number  and  ratio  of  elders  and  lay- 
men, and  the  mode  of  their  election,  shall  be  determined 
by   the  General   Conference. 

Provided,  however,  That  such  elders  shall  have  stood  as 
elders  in  the  conferences  which  they  are  to  represent  for 
no  less  time  than  three  years  next  preceding  the  meeting 
of  the  General  Conference  to  which  they  are  elected ;  and 
that  such  laymen  shall  be  not  less  than  twenty-five  years 
of  age,  and  shall  have  been  members  of  the  Church  six 
years,  and  members  in  the  conference  districts  which  they 
are  to  represent  at  least  three  years  next  preceding  the 
meeting  of  the  General  Conference  to  which  they  are 
elected. 

Sec.  2.  The  General  Conference  shall  convene  every  four 
years,  and  a  majority  of  the  whole  number  of  delegates 
elected  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

Sec.  3.  The  ministerial  and  lay  delegates  shall  delib- 
erate and   vote  together  as  one  body  ;    but  the  General   Con- 

17 


18  DISCIPLINE 

ference  shall  have  power  to  provide  for  a  vote  by  separate 
orders  whenever  it  deems  it  best  to  do  so ;  and  in  such 
cases  the  concurrent  vote  of  both  orders  shall  be  necessary 
to  complete  an  action. 

Sec.  4.  The  General  Conference  shall,  at  such  session, 
elect  bishops  from  among  the  elders  throughout  the  Church 
who  have  stood  six  years  in  that  capacity. 

Sec.  5.  The  bishops  shall  be  members  ex  officio  and  pre- 
siding officers  of  the  General  Conference ;  but  in  case  no 
bishop  be  present,  the  Conference  shall  choose  a  president 
pro  tern. 

Sec.  6.  The  General  Conference  shall  determine  the 
number  and  boundaries  of  the  annual  conferences. 

Sec.  7.  The  General  Conference  shall  have  power  to 
review  the  records  of  the  annual  conferences  and  see  that 
the  business  of  each  annual  conference  is  done  strictly  in 
accordance  with  the  Discipline,  and  approve  or  annul,  as 
the  case  may  require. 

Sec.  8.  The  General  Conference  shall  have  full  control 
of  the  United  Brethren  Printing  Establishment,  the  Home 
Missionary  Society,  and  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society 
(legal  successors  to  the  Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Society  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ),  the 
Church  Erection  Society,  the  General  Sabbath  School  Board, 
the  Board  of  Education,  and  the  Bonebrake  Theological  Sem- 
inary. It  shall  also  have  power  to  establish  and  manage 
any  other  organization  or  institution  within  the  Church 
which  it  may  deem  helpful  in  the  work  of  evangelization. 

Sec.  9.  The  General  Conference  shall  have  power  to 
establish  a  court  of  appeals. 

Sec.  10.  The  General  Conference  may — two-thirds  of 
the  members  elected  thereto  concurring  —  propose  changes 
in,  or  additions  to  the  Confession  of  Faith ;  provided,  that 
the  concurrence  of  three-fourths  of  the  annual  conferences 
shall  be  necessary  to  their  final  ratification. 

ARTICLE   II. 

The  General  Conference  shall  have  power,  as  provided 
in  Article  I.,  Section  1,  of  this  Constitution,  to  make  rules 
and  regulations .  for  the  Church :  nevertheless,  it  shall  be 
subject  to  the  following  limitations  and  restrictions:" 

Section  1.  The  General  Conference  shall  enact  no  rule 
or  ordinance  which   will   change  or  destroy    the  Confession 


CONSTITUTION  19 

of  Faith,  and  shall  establish  no  standard  of  doctrine  con- 
trary to  the  Confession  of  Faith. 

Sec.  2.  The  General  Conference  shall  enact  no  rule 
which  will  destroy  the  itinerant  plan. 

Sec.  3.  Tlie  General  Conference  shall  enact  no  rule 
which  will  deprive  local  preachers  of  their  votes  in  the 
annual  conferences  to  which  they  severally  belong*. 

Sec.  4.  The  General  Conference  shall  enact  no  rule 
which  will  abolish  the  right  of  appeal. 

ARTICLE    III. 

Section  1.  We  declare  that  all  secret  combinations 
which  infringe  upon  the  rights  of  those  outside  their  or- 
ganization, and  whose  principles  and  practices  are  injuri- 
ous to  the  Christian  character  of  their  members,  are  con- 
trary to  the  Word  of  God,  and  that  Christians  ought  to 
have  no  connection  with  them. 

The  General  Conference  shall  have  power  to  enact  such 
rules  of  discipline  with  respect  to  such  combinations  as  in 
its  judgment  it  may  deem  proper. 

Sec.  2.  We  declare  that  human  slavery  is  a  violation 
of  human  rights,  and  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God.  It  shall 
therefore  in  no  wise  be  tolerated  among  us. 

article  IV. 

The  right,  title,  interest,  and  claim  of  all  property,  both 
real  and  personal,  of  whatever  name  or  description,  ob- 
tained by  purchase  or  otherwise,  by  any  person  or  per^ 
sons,  for  the  use,  benefit,  and  behoof  of  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ,  are  hereby  fully  recognized,  and 
held  to  vest  in  the  Church  aforesaid. 

article  v. 

Section  1.  Amendments  to  this  Constitution  may  be 
proposed  by  any  General  Conference, — two-thirds  of  the 
members  elected  thereto  concurring, — which  amendments 
shall  be  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  membership  throughout 
the  Church,  under  regulations  authorized  by  said  confer- 
ence. 

A  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast  upon  any  submitted 
amendment  shall   be  necessary  to  its  final  ratification. 

Sec.  2.  The  foregoing  amended  Constitution  shall  be 
in  force  from  and  after  the  first  Mondav  after  the  second 


20 


DISCIPLINE 


Thursday  of  May,  1889,  upon  official  proclamation  there- 
of by  the  Board  of  Bishops:  provided,  that  the  General 
Conference  elected  for  1889  shall  be  the  lawful  legislative 
body  under  the  amended  Constitution,  Avith  full  power,  un- 
til its  final  adjournment,  to  enact  such  rules  as  this  amended 
Constitution  authorizes. 


PART  II. 

Membership,  Government,  and  Ministry. 
chapter  iv. 

Members. 
Section  I. 

RECEPTION    OF    MEMBERS. 

1.  When  at  any  meeting  there  are  persons  who  desire 
to  unite  with  the  Church,  the  oflBciating  minister  shall 
call  the  applicants  forward  and  address  them  as  follows  : 

Dear  Friends  :  Inasmuch  as  you  present  yourselves  for 
admission  into  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  we  rejoice  with  you  that  through  the  grace  of  God 
.you  have  been  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and 
have  been  made  partakers  of  his  great  salvation.  The 
privileges  you  seek  are  above  price,  and  the  duties  enjoined 
are  solemn.  It  is  proper  that  you  publicly  confess  your 
faith  and  avow  your  purpose  by  answering  the  following 
questions  : 

Questions  to  Applicants. 

2.  (1)  Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God, 
and  that  therein  only  is  contained  the  knowledge  of  the 
way  of  salvation? 

(2)  Do  you  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Son  of  God, 
and  do  you  accept  him  as  your  personal  Savior? 

(3)  Ai'e  you  determined  by  the  grace  of  God  to  follow 
Christ,  renouncing  the  world  and  all  ungodliness,  seeking 
to  lead  a  life  of  holiness  and  devotion  to  God  and  his  cause? 

(4)  Are  you  w-illing  to  be  governed  by  our  Church 
Discipline,  and  will  you  contribute  to  the  support  of  the 
gospel  as  God  prospers  you? 

(5)  Have  you  been  baptized? 

[If  the  answer  to  this  question  be  in  the  negative,  then 
the  applicant  shall  be  instructed  to  attend  to  the  duty  as 
soon  as  practicable.]  « 

21 


22  DISCIPLINE 

Acceptance  of  Applicants. 

3.  If  the  persons  answer  the  above  questions  in  the 
affirmative,  and  no  lawful  objections  be  made  by  any  mem- 
ber, then  the  preacher  shall  give  his  right  hand  to  such 
persons  as  members  of  our  Church.  Then  the  members  of 
the  Church  will  stand,  and  the  minister  will  repeat  this 
covenant  as  follows :  "Do  you,  the  members  of  the  Church 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  enter  into  a  covenant 
with  this  applicant  [or  these  applicants]  for  membership, 
and  promise  to  watch  over,  instruct,  counsel,  and  cherish 
him  [or  her  or  them]  with  all  long-suffering,  gentleness,  and 
love?"  The  Church  will  then  answer,  "By  the  grace  of  God, 
we  will."  After  which  the  hand  of  fellowship  may  be 
extended.  Tlie  preacher  shall  then  register  the  names  of 
the  accepted  members  in  the  Church  record. 

Committee  on  Applicants  for  Membership. 

4.  A  local  church,  when  it  deems  it  advisable  for  its  pro- 
tection against  imposition,  may  appoint  a  committee  on 
applicants  for  membership,  who,  together  with  the  pastor, 
may  make  inquiry  as  to  the  advisability  of  admitting  such 
applicants  to  membership  in  the  Church  according  to  the 
foregoing    requirements. 

Receiving  Persons  from  Other  Churches. 

5.  When  persons  come  to  us  with  certificates  of  good 
standing  in  other  recognized  evangelical  churches,  they  shall 
answer  the  fourth  question  aflarmatively,  and  the  hand  of 
fellowship  may  be  given  them  as  in  other  cases. 

^eel'ers. 

6.  Any  persons  giving  evidence  that  they  are  sincerely 
seeking  the  Lord,  may  be  received  under  the  watch-care  of 
the  Church  by  having  their  names  placed  upon  the  church 
book,  but  shall  not  be  reported  as  members,  nor  shall  they 
have  a  vote  in  the  Church  until  they  shall  have  conformed 
to  the  conditions  in  this  section  relating  to  the  reception 
of  meAibers. 

7.  If  any  person  thus  I'eceived  under  the  watch-care  of 
the  Church  shall  cease  to  manifest  a  desire  to  seek  the 
Lord,  the  preacher  in  charge,  by  the  consent  of  the  local 
chuych  or  the  official  boai'd.  may,  at  any  time,  after  per- 
sonal but  unsuccessful  labor  for  his  salvation,  drop  the 
name  of  such  seeker. 


MEMBERS  23 

Preacher^ s  Responsibility. 
8.  Any  preacher  refusing  or  neglecting  to  ask  the  fore- 
going questions,  except  in  the  case  of  children,  or  who  shall 
receive  members  into  the  Church  in  violation  of  this  order, 
shall  be  answerable  for  the  same  to  the  conference  of 
which  he  is  a  member. 

Section  II. 

DUTIES  OF   MEMBERS. 

Means  of  Grace. 

1.  Every  member  shall  endeavor  to  lead  a  godly  life; 
observe  the  ordinances  of  God's  house,  namely,  baptism  and 
the  remembrance  of  the  sufferings  and  death  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ ;  be  diligent  in  prayer,  particularly  in  private, 
and  for  his  own  edification  attend  our  prayer-  and  class- 
meetings,  and  meetings  for  public  worship. 

Family  Piety. 

2.  Heads  of  families  should  never  omit  to  pray  with 
their  families,  morning  and  evening,  and  to  set  them  a 
good  example  in  all  the  Christian  virtues. 

Singing. 

3.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  the  people  of  God  to  sing  his 
praises,  and  to  sing  them  in  the  great  congregation  as  well 
as  in  the  private  circle.  It  is  therefore  earnestly  advised 
that  all  our  people  cultivate  vocal  music,  so  that  the  sing- 
ing in  our  congregations  may  be  improved.  As  a  help  to 
this  end,  let  all  our  people  provide  themselves  with  hj'^mn- 
books  for  use  in  public  and  social  worship. 

Love  to  Others. 

4.  Every  one  should  strive  to  walk  as  in  the  presence 
of  God,  and  accustom  himself  to  a  close  communion  with 
God  in  all  his  employments.  He  should  never  speak  evil 
of  his  fellow-men,  but  practice  love  toward  friend  and  foe, 
do  good  to  the  poor,  and  endeavor  to  be  a  follower  of  Jesus 
Christ  indeed. 

Saihath  Observance. 

5.  Every  one  shall  keep  the  Sabbath  day  holy,  as  re- 
quired in  the  Word  of  God  :  neither  buy  nor  sell,  but  spend 
the   same  in   exercises   of  devotion,   in   reading  and   hearing 


24  DISCIPLINE 

the    Word    of   God,    and    in    singing    spiritual    hj-mns    to   rhe 
honor  and  glory  of  God. 

Ohedience  to  Goverianciit. 
().      It    is    the    dutj^    of    every    member    to    lead    a    quiet, 
peaceable,    and    godly    life    among    men ;    as    it    becomes    a 
Christian   to  live  in  peace,  and  be  subject  to  the  higher  or 
ruling  powers,  as  the  Word  of  God  requires. 

Sahhath  Schools. 

7.  It  is  the  duty  of  our  members  to  encourage  our  Sab- 
bath schools  by  their  presence,  and  always  to  give  them  their 
aid  and  influence. 

Young  People's  Society. 

8.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  young  members  ®f  the  Church 
to  join  the  Young  People's  Society,  and  by  faithfulness  to  its 
requirements  seek  to  develop  Christian  character  and  effi- 
ciency in  Christian  work. 

Support   of   the  Gospel. 

9.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  members  of  the  Church  to  pay  to- 
ward the  support  of  the  itinerant  ministry,  weekly,  monthly, 
or  quarterly,  in  proportion  to  their  ability,  as  God  has  pros- 
pered them  ;  for  the  Lord  hath  ordained  that  they  who  preach 
the  gospel  shall  live  of  the  gospel.  (I.  Cor.  9 :  14 ;  I,  Tim. 
5:18.)  It  is  earnestly  urged  that  all  our  people  practice 
the  Bible  method  of  weekly  contributions.  "Upon  the  first 
day  of  the  week  let  every  one  of  you  lay  by  him  in  store, 
as  God  hath  prospered  him"    (I.  Cor.  16:2). 

Delinquent  Members. 

10.  Any  member  refusing  to  pay  toward  the  support  of 
the  Church  shall  be  reported  by  the  steward  to  the  class,  or 
official  board,  and  if  refusal  is  persisted  in,  shall  be  suspended 
or  expelled,  as  the  local  church  or  official  board  may  de- 
termine. In  case  a  member  is  suspended,  all  his  privileges 
and  functions  as  a  member  of  the  Church  cease  during  such 
suspension. 

Support  of  General  Interests. 

11.  It  is  also  the  duty  of  all  our  members  to  contribute, 
according  to  their  ability,  to  the  support  of  the  various 
benevolent  interests  of  the  Church. 


MEMBERS  25 

Receiving  Ministers. 

12.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  districts,  stations,  circuits,  and 
missions  ckeerfully  to  receive  the  preachers  appointed  by 
the  stationing  committees  of  the  respective  annual  con- 
ferences. 

Care  of  the  Poor. 

13.  Each  member  of  our  Church  should  willingly  and 
freely  contribute  quarterly,  or  ofteuer  if  need  be,  as  God 
has  prospered  him  (I.  Cor.  16:2),  to  the  support  of  the 
helpless  poor. 

14.  When  it  is  known  by  any  of  our  class-leaders 
that  there  are  poor  members  of  the  class,  who  by  sick- 
ness, accident,  or  other  circumstances  have  been  brought 
to  want,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  leader  in  charge 
to  wait  upon  the  class,  or  to  appoint  some  one  to  do  so,  to 
ask  such  aid,  money,  clothing,  or  produce,  as  the  circum- 
stances may  require.  Should  any  one  class  be  unable  to 
relieve  its  poor,  this  shall  then  be  made  known  to  the  pas- 
tor, whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  inform  the  different  classes 
ou  his  charge ;  and  if  it  should  so  happen  that  any  one 
charge  should  be  unable  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  poor,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  presiding  elder  to  present  the  mat- 
ter to  the  quarterly  conferences  of  the  different  charges, 
so  that  the  unavoidably  poor  of  our  Church  may  be  pro- 
vided for.       (I.  .Tohn  .3:17;    Ps.   12:1,  2.) 

Noncoiiforniiti/  to  the  World. 

1.5.  Inasmuch  as  the  Lord  has  commanded  us  not  to  be 
conformed  to  this  world  (Rom.  12:2),  to  lay  apart  all 
filthiness  and  superfluity  of  naughtiness  (Jas.  1:21),  and 
as  the  principles  of  the  Christian  religion,  as  taught  by 
both  the  precepts  and  example  of  the  meek  and  adorable 
Savior,  are  in  strict  and  perfect  accordance  with  these 
commandments,  we  therefore  humbly  beseech  and  admonish 
the  meml)ers  of  our  Church  to  observe  these  divine  precepts. 
"In  like  manner,  also,  that  women  adorn  themselves  in 
modest  apparel,  with  shamefacedness  and  sobriety ;  not 
with  broidered  hair,  or  gold,  or  pearls,  or  costly  array ; 
but  (which  becometh  women  professing  godliness)  with 
good  works"  (I.  Tim.  2:9,  10)  ;  and  "whose  adorning  let 
it  not  l)e  that  outward  adorning  of  plaiting  the  hair,  and 
of  wearing  of  gold,  or  of  putting  on  of  apparel ;    but   let   it 


26  DISCIPLINE 

be  the  hidden  man  of  the  heart,  in  that  which  is  not  cor- 
ruptible, even  the  ornament  of  a  meek  and  qniet  spirit, 
which  is  in  the  sight  of  God  of  great  price"  (I.  Pet.  3: 
3,  4). 

Necessity  of  Union  Among  Ourselves. 

16.  Let  us  be  deeplj^  sensible  of  the  evil  of  a  division  in 
principle,  spirit,  or  practice,  and  of  its  dreadful  conse- 
quences to  ourselves  and  others.  If  we  are  united,  what 
can  stand  before  usV  If  we  are  divided,  we  shall  injure 
ourselves,  the  work  of  God,  and  the  souls  of  men.  To  this 
end : 

(1)  Let  us  be  deeply  convinced  of  the  absolute  neces- 
sity of  union. 

(2)  Let  us  pray  earnestly  for  one  another,  and  speak 
truly  and  freely  to  one  another. 

(3)  When  we  meet,  let  us  never  part  without  prayer, 
if  prayer  is  at  all  practicable. 

(4)  Let  us  take  great  care  not  to  despise  one  another's 
gifts. 

(5)  Let  us  never  speak  lightly  of  one  another. 

(6)  Let  us  defend  one  another's  character  in  every- 
thing, as  far  as  is  consistent  with  truth. 

(7)  Let  us  labor  in  honor,  each  preferring  another  be- 
fore himself. 

(8)  Let  us  seriously  examine  the  causes,  evils,  and 
cures  of  heart  and  church  divisions. 

Duty  of  Obedience. 

17.  The  foregoing  rules  are  drawn  up  for  the  better 
regulation  of  our  Church  ;  and  we  believe  they  are  founded 
upon  the  Word  of  God,  and  that  their  observance  is  incum- 
bent upon  all  members.  Should  any  violate  or  habitually 
neglect  these  rules,  they  shall  be,  by  their  respective  class- 
leaders,  admonished  to  reformation ;  and  should  they  not 
reform,  they  shall  be  suspended  or  expelled,  as  the  case 
may  require,  by  vote  of  the  local  church  or  official  board. 

Section  III. 

TRIAL   OF    MEMBERS. 

Personal  Trespass. 

1.  When  members  trespass  against  one  another,  let  the 
following  directions   be  followed  : 


MEMBERS  27 

"If  thy  brother  shall  trespass  against  thee,  go  and  tell  him 
his  fault  between  thee  and  him  alone;  if  he  shall  hear  thee, 
thou  hast  gained  thy  brother.  But  if  he  will  not  hear 
thee,  then  take  with  thee  one  or  two  more  .  .  .  And 
if  he  shall  neglect  to  hear  them,  tell  it  unto  the  church ; 
but  if  he  neglect  to  hear  the  church,  let  him  be  unto  thee  as 
an  heathen  man  and  a  publican"  (Matt.  18:15-17)  ;  that 
is,  he  shall  be  expelled  by  the  local  church  or  official  board. 

Immoral   Conduct. 

2.  In  case  of  a  member  accused  of  immoral  conduct, 
the  class  or  official  board  shall  appoint  one  or  more  to 
visit  the  accused  person,  and,  if  possible,  reclaim  him ;  but  if 
unsiiccessful,  and  the  guilt  be  denied,  he  shall  be  tried  by  a 
committee  of  said  class  or  board  chosen  by  the  parties  con- 
cerned, with  the  preacher  in  charge  of  the  circuit  or  station 
as  chairman  ;  and  if  found  guilty,  the  accused  shall  be  ex- 
pelled unless  satisfaction  be  given.  If  the  accused  refuse 
to  choose  his  committeeman  when  properly  notified,  the 
quarterly  conference  shall  choose  a  second  person,  and  these 
two  a  third,  which  committee  shall  try  the  case  and  de- 
cide. Yet  cases  may  occur  where  it  would  be  expedient 
to  choose  a  committee  from  some  other  class  or  classes 
than  the  one  to  Avhich  the  parties  belong,  in  which 
case  it  shall  be  lawful  to  do  so.  Also,  an  elder  may  be 
chosen  as  chairman,  should  the  preacher  in  charge  deem 
this  to  be  best.  Should  any  member  be  dissatisfied  with  the 
decision,  an  appeal  may  be  had  to  the  quarterly  conference, 
by  giving  notice  thereof  to  the  preacher  in  charge,  or  sec- 
retary of  the  committee.  (See  Chapter  X.,  Section  I.,  page 
82.)  In  such  cases,  however,  the  same  persons  shall  not 
sit  in  judgment  on  the  same  case. 

Disobedience  to   the  Order  of  the  Church. 

3.  In  cases  of  neglect  of  duty  of  any  kind,  imprudent 
conduct,  indulging  sinful  tempers  or  words,  or  disobedience 
to  the  order  and  discipline  of  the  Church  :  First,  let  pri- 
vate reproof  be  given  by  the  preacher  or  leader ;  and  if 
there  be  an  acknowledgment  of  the  fault,  proper  humilia- 
tion, and  a  promise  to  reform,  the  person  may  be  borne 
with.  On  a  second  offense,  the  preacher  or  leader  shall 
take  with  him  one  or  two  faithful  members.  On  a  third 
offense,  let  the  case  be  brought  before  the  local  church,  official 
board,  or  a  select  committee ;  and  if  there  be  no  satisfactory 


28  DISCIPLINE 

humiliation,  the  offender  sliall  be  expelled  by  vote  of  the 
local  church  or  official  board.  In  case  the  accused  shall 
deny  his  guilt  and  demand  a  trial,  and  there  be  a  reasonable 
doubt  or  question  about  his  guilt,  he  shall  be  tried  by  a 
committee,  and,  if  found  guilty,  he  shall  be  expelled.  In 
case  of  trial  under  this  clause,  the  leader  shall  act  in  be- 
half of  the  local  church  ;  or  if  the  leader  be  the  offender,  the 
steward  shall  act  as  prosecutor. 

Disputes. 
4.  In  case  of  a  dispute  between  members  or  preachers, 
the  preacher  to  whom  it  shall  be  known  shall  inquire  into 
the  circumstances  of  the  case,  and,  if  necessary,  shall  rec- 
ommend to  the  contending  parties  a  reference  to  a  com- 
mittee consisting  of  one  arbiter  chosen  by  the  plaintiff, 
and  another  by  the  defendant,  and  a  third  by  these  two ; 
then  these  three  are  to  decide.  But  if  the  preacher  to 
whom  the  dispute  is  known  shall  refuse  or  neglect  to  act, 
then  the  quarterly  conference  shall  appoint  some  one  to 
carry  out  the  rule ;  and  if  either  or  both  disputants  refuse 
to  choose  an  arbiter,  the  quarterly  conference  shall  appoint 
the  first  and  second,  and  these  two  a  third,  who  shall  hear 
the  case  and  decide. 

Right  of  Appeal. 

f).  Should  either  party  be  dissatisfied  with  the  decision, 
an  appeal  may  be  taken  to  the  next  quarterly  conference 
for  a  second  arbitration,  where  each  party  shall  choose  two 
arbiters,  and  the  four  shall  choose  a  fifth,  a  decision  of  a 
majoritj^  of  whom  shall  be  final.  Any  member  refusing  to 
abide  by  this  decision  shall  be  expelled  without  further 
trial.  Members  of  the  Church  or  congregation  who  are 
present  at  a  local  church  trial,  but  take  no  part  in  said  trial, 
are  not  disqualified  because  of  said  presence  from  sitting 
on  the  case,  if  an  appeal  is  taken  from  the  decision  reached 
by  said  church. 

Going  to  Law  Forbidden. 
6.  Any  member  refusing,  in  case  of  debt  or  dispute,  to 
refer  the  matter  to  arbitration  when  recommended  to  him 
by  a  preacher  or  leader,  or  who  shall  enter  into  lawsuit 
with  another  member  before  these  measures  are  taken, 
shall  be  dealt  with  as  in  case  of  other  immoralities,  ex- 
cept when   the  case  is  of  such   a   nature  as  to   require  and 


MEMBERS  29 

justify  a  process  at  law,  as  in  acting  as  administrators,  or 
when  a  member  is  in  danger,  by  delay,  of  suffering  a  loss 
of  property. 

Record  of  Trials. 

7.  A  faithful  record  of  the  proceedings  of  any  church 
trial  conducted  in  a  local  church  shall  be  kept  by  the 
church  clerk  in  a  book  provide<l  for  that  purpose ;  and  it 
shall  be  his  duty,  in  case  of  an  appeal,  to  furnish  his 
record  to  the  quarterly  conference. 

Order  in,  Trials. 

8.  All  church  trials  shall  be  conducted  in  a  consistent 
Christian  manner,  without  the  employment  of  magistrates 
and  attorneys  to  administer  oaths  and  conduct  investiga- 
tions. The  ]\Ianual  of  Discipline,  authorized  by  the  Gen- 
ei-al  Conference,  shall  be  the  recognized  authority  governing 
all  Church   trials. 


Section  IV. 

TRANSFER   AND    WITHDRAWAL    OF    MEMBERS. 

Certificate  of  Transfer  of  Memhers. 

1.  When  a  member  of  our  Church  removes  from  one 
pastoi'al  charge  to  another,  he  shall  obtain  a  certificate  of 
transfer  by  a  majority  vote  of  the  membership,  or  official 
board  of  the  local  church  of  which  he  is  a  member,  sig"ned 
by  the  pastor,  or  if  there  is  no  pastor,  by  the  class-leader, 
the  certificate  to  be  in  the  form  of  No.  1,  Section  I.,  Chapter 
XXVII.,   of   our  Book  of  Discipline. 

A  footnote  shall  be  subjoined  to  all  certificates  of  trans- 
fer, as  follows  : 

Note. — This  is  not  a  letter  of  dismissal  from  our  Church, 
and  it  does  not  terminate  the  connection  of  the  member 
with  the  local  church  which  grants  the  transfer. 

Transfer  of  1S[  on -Resident  Members. 

2.  In  case  that  any  member  of  our  Church  who  does 
not  reside  in  reach  of  a  local  church  shall  make  applica- 
tion to  the  pastor  for  a  certificate  of  transfer,  the  pastor 
may  issue  such  certificate  to  said  member  if  his  Christian 
life  is  known  to  be  good,  and  he  has  settled  all  his  church 
dues,  subscriptions,  and  assessments. 


30  DISCIPLINE 

Notice  of  Forwarding  Certificates. 

3.  The  pastor  who  issues  a  certificate  of  transfer  as 
provided  in  either  of  the  preceding  sections,  shall,  if  prac- 
ticable, forward  such  certificate,  with  proper  notice  and 
explanation  to  the  pastor  of  the  charge  to  which  the  mem- 
ber receiving  the  certificate  shall  remove. 

Notice  of  Reception  of  Members  on  Certificate. 

4.  When  a  pastor  shall  have  received  a  member  on  a  cer- 
tificate of  transfer  he  shall  notify  the  pastor,  or  class-leader, 
of  the  local  church  from  which  it  was  issued,  and  said 
pastor,  or  leader,  shall  enter  on  the  church  record  opposite 
the  name  of  the  transferred  member,  the  words  "Removed 
by  certificate  of  transfer." 

Certificate  of  Recommendation. 

5.  When  a  member  of  our  Church  shall  remove  from 
one  of  our  pastoral  charges  to  another,  and  shall  make 
application  to  the  pastor  for  a  letter  of  recommendation 
by  which  he  may  unite  either  with  another  evangelical 
church  or  one  of  our  local  churches,  said  member  may  be 
entitled  to  receive  such  certificate  of  recommendation  by  a 
majority  vote  of  the  membership,  or  official  board  of  the 
local  church  of  which  he  is  a  member,  signed  by  the  pastor, 
or,  if  there  is  no  pastor,  by  the  class-leader ;  provided,  that 
the  good  standing  of  said  member  is  evidenced  by  the  settle- 
ment of  all  his  church  dues,  subscriptions,  and  assessments, 
and  by  his  observance  of  the  rules  of  our  Church  pertain- 
ing to  the  "Duties  of  Members"  contained  in  Section  II., 
Chapter  IV.,  of  our  Discipline,  said  certificate  to  be  in 
the  form  of  No.  2,  Section  I.,  Chapter  XXVII.,  of  our 
Discipline. 

Limitation  of  Cei'tificates. 

G.  A  certificate  issued  to  a  member  of  our  Chiwch  as 
provided  in  either  of  the  preceding  sections  must  be  pre- 
sented to  some  local  church,  or  returned  to  the  church  by 
which  it  was  granted,  within  eighteen  months :  otherwise 
it  becomes  null  and  void. 

Amenability  of  Certified  Member. 
7.     A  member  receiving   a  certificate   of  transfer,  or   rec- 
ommendation,  is  amenable   to  the  local  church  by  which   it 
was   granted    until    said    certificate    is   deposited    with   some 


MEMBERS  31 

Other  local   church,   or  until   the  certificate   expires   by  limi- 
tation. 

Disposal  of  Delinquent  1^ on-Resident  Members. 

8.  In  case  a  member  moves  from  a  pastoral  charge  and 
fails  to  report  to  the  local  church  of  which  he  is  a  mem- 
ber, at  least  once  each  conference  year,  he  may  be  marked 
"Removed  without  certificate." 

Certificate  of  Withdrawal. 

9.  If  a  member  of  our  Church  desires  to  withdraw  from 
the  Church,  and  his  Christian  life  has  been  good,  and  he 
has  settled  all  his  church  dues,  subscriptions,  and  assess- 
ments, he  shall  be  entitled  to  a  certificate  of  honorable  with- 
drawal from  the  Church  by  a  majority  vote  of  the  member- 
ship, or  ofiicial  board  of  the  local  church  of  which  he  is 
a  member,  signed  by  th«  pastor,  or,  if  there  is  no  pastor, 
by  the  class-leader,  said  certificate  to  be  in  the  form  of 
No.  3,  Section  I.,  of  Chapter  XXVII.,  of  our  Discipline. 

Mtnihership  of  Preachers. 

10.  An  annual-conference  member  may  be  received  into 
a  class  on  his  ministerial  credentials,  provided  said  cre- 
dentials are  held  in  force  by  the  conference  to  which  he  is 
amenable. 

Meinhership  of  Preachers  Required. 

11.  All  quarterly-  and  annual-conference  preachers  are 
required  to  hold  membership  in  some  local  church,  and 
uix>n  neglect  or  refusal  to  do  so  shall  lose  their  ofiicial 
relation. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Government  of  the  Church. 
Section  I. 

CLASSES. 

Local  Church  Organization. 

1.  A  LOCAL  church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  may 
b^  organized,  where  not  already  established,  by  any  regu- 
larly authorized  minister  or  missionary  of  the  denomination, 
who  shall  enroll  the  names  of  not  less  than  five  resident 
persons  in  a  book  of  record,  giving  to  each  the  right  hand 
of  fellowship,  and  causing  one  or  more  class-leaders  to  be 
elected  and  appointing  one  or  more  stewards.^ 

Division  into   Glasses. 

2.  A  local  church  may  be  divided  into  two  or  more 
classes,  if  deemed  proper  to  do  so,  by  the  pastor  and  official 
board.  In  all  cases,  each  class  shall  elect  its  own  leader, 
near  the  close  of  each  official  year.  After  such  division  the 
word  "class"  shall  denote  only  a  section  of  the  local  church. 

Disbanding  Glasses. 

3.  When  a  quarterly  conference  deems  it  impracticable 
to  maintain  the  organization  of  a  chuixh  in  any  place, 
whatever  members  remain  shall  be  by  the  pastor  trans- 
ferred to  such  class  as  may  be  desired  by  the  member  or 
members  to  be  so  transferred. 

Section  II. 

CLASS-LEADERS. 

Qualifications. 

1.  It  shall  be  the  leader's  duty  to  live  a  pious  life  and 
set   a   godly    example   before    his    class ;    carefully    to    study 

liViOTE. — Until  the  congregation  thus  constituted  becomes  so 
large  as  to  require  dividing  into  classes  or  sections,  for  pur- 
poses of  convenience  and  efficiency,  the  words  "church,"  "con- 
gregation." and  "class"  shall  denote  the  same  aggregate  church 
membership. 

32 


GOVERNMENT    OF    THE    CHURCH  33 

the  Holy  Scriptures,  fully  qualifying  himself  for  the  faith- 
ful performance  of  his  duties  as  a  leader  and  counselor  of 
his  class. 

Holding  Meetings. 

2.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  meet  his  class,  in  class-  or 
prayer-meeting,  as  often  as  practicable,  to  speak  to  them 
concerning  their  spiritual  welfare,  and  exhort  them  to 
unity  and  love.  He  shall  extend  the  freedom  of  our 
prayer-  and  class-meetings  to  all  sincere  and  well-disposed 
persons  who  may  desire  to  attend  them. 

Visiting  the  Sick  and  Delinquent. 
8.     When  any  of  his  members   are  sick,  or  delinquent   io 
the    performance    of    their    duties,    he    shall    visit    them    and 
labor  with   them   as  circumstances   may   require,  or   arrange- 
for  some  one  else  to  do  so. 

Class  Record. 

4.  He  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  members  of  the  class,, 
and  shall  make  regular  re])orts  of  his  work,  and  the  condition 
of  his  class,   to  the  official    board  and   quarterly   conference. 

Dismissal  for  Delinquency. 

5.  Any  class-leader  failing  to  dischai-ge  these  duties^^ 
may,  on  complaint,  be  removed  by  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence. 

Section  III. 

CLASS-STEWARDS. 

1.  Every  church  may  have  one  or  more  class-stewards- 
and  one  or  more  presiding-elder  stewards ;  the  former  to 
be  chosen  as  provided  for  on  page  07  under  "Annual  Re- 
organization,"  the   latter  to  be  appointed  by  the  pastor. 

Collections  for  Pastors. 

2.  On  circuits  each  member  shall  contribute  quarterly,, 
monthly,  or  oftener,  and  on  stations,  monthly  or  weekly, 
for  the  support  of  the  pastor.  Each  steward  shall  keep 
an  accurate  account  of  the  amount  paid  by  each  miember 
of  the  class,  in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose,  and  re- 
port the  same,  with  name  and  amount,  to  each  quarterly 
conference:     provided,    hmvevpr.    that    wherp    the    envelope 


34  DISCIPLINE 

system  is  in  use  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  general  steward 
to  receive  the  envelopes,  keep  a  correct  record  of  names 
and  amounts  paid,  and  report  the  same  to  the  official 
board  monthly.  He  shall  furnish  each  steward,  at  the 
end  of  each  month,  a  list  of  the  names  of  those  who  are 
delinquent  in  payment  of  pastor's  salary,  with  statement 
of  the  amount  due  from  each.  The  stewards  shall  then 
endeavor  to  secure  prompt  payment  of  such  deficits. 

Elements  for  the  Lord's  Supper. 

3.  It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  stewards  to  provide  the 
elements  for  the  sacraments  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  always 
securing  unfermented  wine. 

Dismissal  for  Delinquency. 

4.  For  the  faithful  discharge  of  their  duties  as  stew- 
ards, they  shall  be  accountable  to  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence, which  shall  have  power  to  dismiss  them  for  official 
delinquency. 

Presiding-Elder  Stcuard. 

5.  The  presiding-elder  steward  shall,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  pastor,  secure  quarterly,  by  private  solicitation 
or  otherwise,  one-fourth  of  the  yearly  assessment  to  the 
class  for  presiding  elder's  salary,  and  report  the  same  to 
the  pastor  on  or  before  the  time  of  each  quarterly  con- 
ference. 

Section  IV. 

CHURCH  DEACONS. 

Every  church  may  have  one  or  more  deacons,  who  shall 
be  elected  annually  by  vote  of  the  church.  Tlie  duties  of 
a  deacon  shall  be  to  collect  funds  for  the  needy,  as  pro- 
vided for  in  Section  II.,  paragraph  14,  page  25,  of  the  Disci- 
pline, under  "Duties  of  Members,''  and  disburse  the  same 
under  the  direction  of  a  committee  appointed  by  the  official 
board,  or,  where  the  local  church  board  is  not  organized, 
under  the  direction  of  the  pastor. 

Section  V. 

CHURCH   CLERK. 

There  may  be  a  church  clerk  who  shall'  be  elected  by 
the  local  church  or  official  board,  who  shall  be  the  pastor's 
clerical  assistant  and  work  under  his  direction. 


GOVERN MEXT    OF    THE    CHURCH  35 

Section  VI. 

OFFICIAL   boards. 

1.  The  properly  recognized  members  of  the  quarterly 
conference  shall  be  the  members  of  the  official  board  of 
each  local  church.  On  circuits  the  official  board  of  each 
church  shall  have  power  to  transact  its  business,  the  same 
as  the  official  boards  of  stations. 

2.  The  pastor  shall  be  the  president  of  the  board :  in 
his  absence  one  of  the  members  shall  be  elected  president 
pro  tern.  The  sessions  shall  begin  and  close  with  devo- 
tional exercises. 

3.  The  board  shall  elect  a  secretary,  who  shall  keep  a 
record   of   its   proceedings. 

4.  The  general  steward,  elected  by  the  quarterly  con- 
ference, may  be  also  the  church  treasurer.  The  treasurer 
shall  receive  all  moneys  that  have  been  collected  from 
class-stewards,  or  otherwise,  and  receipt  therefore,  and  said 
treasurer  shall  pay  out  all  moneys  in  his  hands  as  the 
official   board  may   direct. 

5.  The  official  board  shall  receive  statements  of  all  sub- 
scriptions and  moneys  received  and  disbursed  for  the  in- 
terest of  the  local  church  ;  and  all  persons  intrusted  wnth 
moneys  or  subscriptions,  whether  trustees,  stewards,  the 
treasurer,  or  others,  shall  report  the  same  to  the  official 
meeting  as  soon   as  possible. 

6.  It  shall  receive  from  each  class-leader  a  statement 
in  reference  to  the  religious  condition  of  his  class. 

7.  The  official  boards  shall  be  the  estimating  committee 
of  the  charge,  unless  otherwise  specifically  ordered  by  the 
quarterly  conference  as  provided  in  Section  VII.,  paragraph 
13.  page  38 ;  and  said  committee  shall  meet  the  pastor  as 
soon  as  practicable  after  the  annual  conference,  and  make 
out  an  estimate  of  the  expenses  of  the  charge  for  the  year — 
the  preacher's  salary,  the  presiding  elder's  salary,  sexton 
hire,  cost  of  light,  fuel,  insurance,  and  any  other  ordinary 
expenses  incident  to  the  year's  general  account.  An  esti- 
mate of  preacher's  salary  for  the  ensuing  year  may  be  made 
by  said  committee  prior  to  the  close  of  the  conference  year. 
It  shall  also  determine  how  these  funds  are  to  be  secured, — 
whether  by  assessments  or  subscription,  and  whether  by 
envelope  collections  made  weekly,  or  by  the  class-stewards, 
or  both, — what  per  cent,   is  to  be  devoted  to  the  preacher's 


30  DISCIPLINE 

and    presiding    elder's    salaries,    and    what    per    cent,    to    the 
current  expenses  of  the  charge. 

8.  The  official  board  shall  revise  the  church  records,  as 
provided  in  Section  II..  paragraph  3,  page  67. -and  shall  be 
the  body  to  grant  transfers  and  dismissals  from  the  Church. 

9.  The  official  board  on  stations  shall  meet  once  a  month, 
and  on  circuits,  at  the  call  of  the  pastor. 

10.  The  official  board  nmy  appoint  an  executive  council 
of  which  the  pastor  shall  be  chairman,  to  act  for  the 
church  in  matters  committed  to  them. 

Revieui  hy  Quarterly  Conference. 

n.  The  acts  of  the  official  boards  shall  be  approved  by 
the  quarterly  conference. 

Section  VII. 

QUARTERLY   CONFERENCE. 

Memhers. 

1.  The  members  of  the  quarterly  conference  shall  be 
the  presiding  elder  of  the  district,  the  preacher  in  charge, 
and  all  properly  recognized  preachers,  lay  preachers,  deacon- 
esses, class-leader's,  class-stewards,  and  all  other  stewards, 
whose  appointments  have  been  ratified  by  the  quarterly 
conference,  presidents  of  ladies'  aid  societies,  church 
clerks,  when  properly  recognized  by  the  church,  or  official 
board,  or  quarterly  conference,  presidents  of  local  woman's 
missionary  associations,  the  church  treasurer,  trustees  of 
church  and  parsonage  houses,  superintendents  of  Sabbath 
schools,  and  pre*^idents  of  young  people's  societies,  or- 
ganized in  harmon.y  with  the  provisions  of  Discipline  con- 
trolling the  organization  of  such  societies,  and  superin- 
tendents of  junior  societies,  when  similarly  organized,  presi- 
dents and  secretaries  of  brotherhoods,  all  treasurers  of 
ladies'  aid  societies,  woman's  missionary  societies,  young 
people's  societies,  and  Sabbath  schools,  when  said  per- 
sons are  members  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ,  who  reside  within  the  bounds  of  the  sta- 
tion or  circuit,  or  hold  membership  therein.  Such 
members  as  are  present  at  any  regular  meeting  shall  con- 
stitute a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business.  The 
quarterly  conference  shall  open  and  close  with  prayer.  The 
quarterly  conference  shall  be  amenable  to  the  annual 
conference   for   its   official    acts. 


GOVERNMENT    OF    THE    CHURCH  6 1 

Duties  and  Powers  of  the  Quarterly  Conference. 

2.  In  the  absence  of  the  presiding  elder,  the  quarterly 
conference  shall  elect  a  chairman  pro  tern.,  whose  official 
acts  shall  be  valid. 

3.  It  shall  elect  a  secretary,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to 
keep  a  correct  record  of  all  its  proceedings  in  a  book  pro- 
vided for  that  purpose,  in  which  the  names  of  all  the  mem- 
bei-s  composing   the  said  conference  shall   be   entered. 

4.  It  shall  make  inquiry  into  the  moral  deportment  and 
official  character  of  all  its  members. 

5.  On  stations,  it  shall  elect,  at  the  last  quarterly  con- 
ference of  the  year,  a  church  treasurer,  wherever  desirable, 
who  shall  be  a  member  of  the  quarterly  conference. 

6.  It  shall  enforce  discipline  in  all  the  classes  under  its 
jurisdiction,  but  in  no  case  disorganize  a  class  unless  the 
preliminary  steps  have  been  taken  as  required  in  Chapter 
v..  Section  I.,  paragraph  3.  page  32. 

7.  It  shall  hear  the  reports  of  the  stewards,  and  make 
settlements  with  the  pastor. 

Appeals  and  Trials. 

8.  It  shall  receive  and  try  all  appeals,  references,  and 
comi)laints  that  may  come  regularly  before  it ;  but  no  mem- 
lier  of  quarterly  conference  can  be  suspended  or  expelled 
from  the  Church  prior  to  a  committee  trial. 

Licensing  Preachers. 

9.  It  shall  have  power  to  grant  license  to  ])reach  accord- 
ing to  the  provisions  of  Cb.apter  VI.,  "Ministry  of  the 
Church." 

Renewing  Licenses. 

10.  It  shall  renew  the  license  of  lay  i)reachers  and  quar- 
terly-conference preachers  annually,  if  they  are  found 
worthy,  and  may  arrange  a  plan  for  the  local  preachers 
to   preach   regularly  at  stated  places. 

Recommending  to  the  Annual  Conference. 

11.  The  quarterly  conference  may  recommend  to  the 
annual  conference  licentiates  of  one  or  more  years'  stand- 
ing, who  have  completed  the  course  of  reading  required. 

General  Stewards. 

12.  Tlie  quarterly  conference,  at  its  last  session  in  each 
year,  shall  elect  by  ballot  a  steward   for  the  charge,  whose 


38  DISCIPLINE 

duty  it  shall  be  to  assist  the  class-stewards  in  securing  the 
pastor's  salary,  and  to  receive  and  audit  the  steward's 
reports. 

Estimating  Committee. 

13.  In  cases  of  circuits,  the  quarterly  conference  may, 
at  its  last  session  for  the  year,  appoint  a  finance  commit- 
tee. Avhich  committee  shall  meet  at  the  time  and  place 
specified  by  the  preacher  appointed  to  the  charge  for  the 
ensuing  year,  and  make  out  an  estimate  of  the  regular  ex- 
penses, and  apportion  the  same,  including  the  conference 
assessment  for  presiding  elder's  salary,  among  the  differ- 
ent appointments  according  to  their  respective  ability,  and 
report  the  same  to  the  quarterly  conference  for  ratification. 
This  committee  shall  also  serve  as  an  executive  committee 
for  the  quarterly  conference  during  the  year  in  all  matters 
of  finance. 

Apportionment  to  the  Members. 

14.  As  soon  as  convenient  after  each  class  has  received 
its  apportionment,  on  the  call  of  the  pastor,  the  official 
members  shall  meet  and  make  a  distribution  of  the  appor- 
tionment, including  the  assessment  for  presiding  elder,  to 
the  members  severally,  according  to  their  ability,  to  be 
paid  quarterly,  monthly,  or  oftener ;  provided,  however, 
that  it  shall  be  the  privilege  of  any  class  to  collect  the 
amount  apportioned  to  it  by  subscription  or  otherwise. 

Place  of  Meeting. 

15.  The  quarterly  conference  shall  determine  its  places 
of  meeting. 

Appeals. 

16.  Any  preacher  dissatisfied  with  the  decision  of  a 
quarterly  conference  shall,  within  thirty  days  after  the 
quarterly  conference,  notify  the  secretary,  in  writing,  of 
his  intention  to  appeal,  together  with  his  reasons  for  so 
doing;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  take  or 
send  a  certified  copy  of  the  proceedings,  the  notification, 
and  reasons  assigned,  to  the  annual  conference. 

17.  In  all  cases  of  appeal,  whether  to  the  quarterly  or 
annual  conference,  or  to  the  court  of  appeals,  the  course 
laid  down  in  the  chapter  on  "Appeals"  is  the  proper  course 
to  be  pursued. 


GOVERNMENT    OF    THE    CHURCH  39 

Section  VIII. 

ANNUAL  conference. 

Members. 

1.  The  aunnal  couference  shall  consist  of  all  elders  and 
licentiate  preachers,  who  have  been  duly  received,  and  one 
layman  from  each  charge  in  the  conference,  who  shall  be 
elected  by  ballot,  at  the  third  or  last  session  of  the  quar- 
terly conference  in  the  year,  a  majoritj-  of  all  the  votes  cast 
being  necessary  to  a  choice,  and  an  alternate  shall  be 
elected  at  the  same  time  and  in  like  manner. 

The  delegate  thus  chosen  shall  not  be  one  holding  an 
annual-conference  license  as  a  minister,^  nor  one  recom- 
mended to  the  annual  conference  for  license  to  preach,  and 
such  delegate  shall  have  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of 
ministers  in  the  annual  conference  except  the  right  to  vote 
upon  the  reception  or  expulsion  of  preachers,  and  the  pass- 
ing of  preachers  in  the  course  of  reading.  Members  of  con- 
ference boards  shall  also  be  granted  advisory  seats.  The 
conference  treasurer  also,  when  not  a  minister  or  a  lay  dele- 
gate, shall  be  given  an  advisory  seat. 

Devotions. 

2.  Suitable  devotional  exercises,  consisting  of  scripture 
reading,  singing,  and  prayer,  shall  be  held  at  the  opening 
and  closing  of  the  conference  sessions. 

Secretaries. 

.3.  The  conference  shall  elect  by  ballot  one  or  more  sec- 
retaries, as  the  case  may  require,  who,  in  addition  to  dis- 
charging the  regular  duties  of  secretary,  shall,  immediately 
on  the  adjournment  of  the  annual  conference,  transmit 
to  the  Publishing  Agent,  at  Dayton.  Ohio,  a  true  transcript 
of  the  footings  of  the  conference  chart. 

Bishoi)  Pro   Tempore. 

4.  If  no  bishop  should  be  present,  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  annual  conference  to  elect  a  bishop  pro  tern.,  whose 
official  acts  shall  be  valid. 

^NoTE. — It  is  also  advised  by  the  General  Conference  that 
wives  of  annual-conference  ministers  be  not  chosen  as  lay 
delegates. 


40  DISCIPLINE 

E.va)miiatio7is. 

5.  All  preachers  shall  report  in  person  or  by  letter,  and 
be  examined  respecting  their  deportment  toward  their 
fellow-men,  whether  their  conduct  in  life  be  blameless, 
and  whether  they  employ  as  much  time  as  practicable  to 
promote  the  kingdom  of  God  (according  to  Tit.  1  :  7-9  and 
II.  Tim.  2:15),  and  if  found  delinquent  they  shall  be 
admonished  or  advised,  as  the  case  may  require.  But 
should  all  admonition  or  advice  fail,  then  the  name  of  the 
delinquent  person  shall  be  erase<l  from  the  roll  of  the  con- 
ference. 

Absentees. 

().  Should  any  member  of  the  annual  conference  absent 
himself  from  the  session  of  conference  three  years  in  suc- 
cession, without  giving  a  satisfactory  reason  for  so  doing, 
his  name  may  be  erased  from  the  roll  of  the  conference. 

Electioneering  Forbidden. 

7.  No  preacher  or  layman  shall  be  permitted  to  elec- 
tioneer favorably  to  his  own  election  to  any  office  or  dele- 
gation in  the  Church  ;  and  should  any  one'  be  found  doing 
so,  if  a  preacher,  he  shall  be  held  accountable  to  the  next 
annual  conference  of  wiiich  he  is  a  member,  and  if  a  layman, 
he  shall  be  held  accountable  to  the  class,  to  be  dealt  with, 
each,  according  to  the  judgment  of  said  conference  or  class. 

Autliovity  of  the  Annual  Conference. 

S.  An  annual  conference  may  adopt  rules  for  its  own 
government  not  in  conflict  with  the  Discipline  of  the 
Church. 

Benevolent  Funds. 

9.  The  annual  conference  shall  forward  to  the  General 
Church  Treasurer  all  moneys  collected  by  the  conference  for 
all  general  benevolences,  and  in  no  case  can  these  funds  be 
diverted  to  conference  interests. 

Business   Sheet. 

10.  The  annual  conference  sliall  transact  its  businei^s 
according  to  a  business  sheet  prepared  by  the  Board  of 
Bishops. 


GOVERNMENT  OF  THE    CHURCH  41 

Section  IX. 

GENERAL   CONFERENCE. 

Memters. 

1.  (See  Coustitiition,  Article  I.,  Section  1.) 

Conference  Representation. 

2.  The  auuiial  conferences  shall  be  represented  in  the 
General  Conference  according  to  the  following  ratios  :  All 
conferences  having  less  than  two  thousand  members  shall 
be  entitled  to  two  delegates,  one  ministerial  and  one  lay ; 
two  thousand  and  less  than  four  thousand,  two  ministerial 
and  two  lay ;  four  thousand  and  less  than  eight  thousand, 
three  ministerial  and  three  lay ;  eight  thousand  and  less  than 
fourteen  thousand,  four  ministerial  and  four  lay ;  over  four- 
teen thousand,  five  ministerial  and  five  lay. 

Bishops^  An nouncement. 
8.  The  Board  of  Bishops  shall  as  early  as  possible  an- 
nounce the  number  of  delegates  to  which  each  conference 
shall  be  entitled,  as  appearing  from  the  statistics  of  the 
annual  conferences  at  the  end  of  the  third  year  of  the 
quadrennial  term. 

domination  of  Delegates. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  ministerial  members  of 
each  annual  conference  at  the  session  next  preceding  the 
election  for  delegates  to  General  Conference,  apart  from 
the  lay  delegates,  to  nominate  by  ballot  three  times  the 
number  of  ministerial  delegates  to  be  elected.  It  shall 
also  be  the  duty  of  the  lay  delegates,  in  separate  conven- 
tion, to  nominate  by  ballot  three  times  the  number  of  lay 
delegates  to  be  elected.  In  both  cases  it  shall  require  a 
majority  of  all  the  ballots  cast  to  effect  a  nomination. 
This  provision  shall  not  be  construed  as  depriving  mem- 
bers of  the  right  to  vote,  if  desirous  of  doing  so,  for  other 
ministers  and  laymen  who  are  eligible. 

Annual-Conference  Tellers. 

5.  Each  annual  conference  shall  appoint  a.  committee 
of  three  as  a  board  of  tellers  and  three  as  alternates,  to 
i^ceive  and  publicly  countj  the  votes,  and  issue  certificates 
of  election  to  those  receiving  the  highest  number  of  votes. 
It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  tellers  to  meet  before 


42  DIWCIPLINE 

the  inouth  of  Novoinber  and  appoint  one  of  their  number 
secretary ;  and  to  said  secretary  all  returns  of  boards  of 
election  shall  bo  made ;  and  the  said  secretary  shall  re- 
tain under  lock  and  key  all  such  reports  until  the  oflicial 
count  is  made. 

/yf.sf.s   of  Xominccs   and  Blanks. 

(!.  The  annual  conference  shall  also  furnish,  through 
its  recording-  secretary,  to  each  preacher  in  charge  of  a 
field  of  labor  a  list  of  all  the  ministers  and  laymen  nomi- 
nated ;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  presiding  elder  to 
have  printed  in  convenient  form,  and  deliver  in  due  tinu' 
to  each  pastor,  printed  tickets  containing  all  the  namc^ 
nominated,  with  the  post-office  addresses,  for  use  in  the  elec- 
tion of  delegates.  He  shall  also  furnish  to  each  preacher  ir 
charge  on  his  district  blank  bills  of  election,  which  shall  bf 
distributed  by  the  preachers  to  their  respective  boards  oi 
election. 

Hoards  of  Election. 

7.  The  leadei-s  and  stewards  of  each  local  church  shall 
constitute  a  board  of  election,  who  shall,  by  the  pastor,  be 
furnished  a  copy  of  tlip  list  of  persons  nominated  ;  and  tht 
election  shall  be  held  invariably  during  the  month  of  No- 
vember next  preceding  the  sitting  of  the  General  Conference 

8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  election  of  eacli 
local  church  publicly  to  announce,  at  least  one  week  be- 
fore the  election,  a  meeting  of  the  members  of  said  church, 
for  purpose  of  casting  their  ballot  for  delegates  to  rep- 
resent them  in  the  (loneral  Conference. 

Aljscnt  ]'otcrs. 
'.>.  Should  any  member  be  incapacitated  by  age,  affiic- 
liou,  non-residence,  or  other  unavoidable  circumstances, 
and  should  any  minister  be  absent  on  his  charge,  sucli 
])ersons  may  send  their  luillot:^  containing  the  names  of 
their  choice,  with  their  own  names  signed  on  the  back  oi 
their  ballots ;  pro\ided,  that  no  votes  shall  be  counted  ex- 
cept those  cast  on  the  day  appointed  for  such  election. 

Election   Returns. 
10.     Each    board    of   election    shall    imme<liately    make   u] 
the    bill    of   election,    sign,    enclose,    and    seal    it,    and    trans- 
mit  it    to   the   secretary    of   the   board   of   tellers   appointed 


GOVERNMENT   OF   THE    CIIUIU'II  43 

by  the  anunal  conference,  stating  what  church,  circuit, 
mission,  or  station  their  vote  represents.  They  shall  also 
keep  a  correct  copy  of  the  bill  they  send  to  the  tellers ; 
also  a  list  of  the  names  of  all  the  members  voting,  and 
also  the  tickets  used  in  voting,  until  after  the  adjourn- 
ment of  the  General  Conference,  when  they  may  be  de- 
stroyed. 

11.  Pastors  shall  be  required  to  see  that  forms  for  the 
election  of  delegates  are  properly  filled  out  and  the  re- 
turns of  their  charges  sent  in  :  they  shall  be  held  amenable 
to  the  annual  conference  for  the  discharge  of  this  duty. 

Canvassing    and   Puhlk-ation    of    Rrfiirn-'^. 

12.  The  annual-conference  board  of  tellers  shall  publish 
in  the  Rrlif/ious  Telescope,  not  later  than  the  third  week  in 
December  notice  of  the  time  and  place  of  canvassing  the 
returns,  shall  make  out  a  list  of  all  persons  voted  for,  and 
of  the  number  of  votes  for  each ;  and  should  any  two  or 
more  of  the  candidates  have  an  equal  number  of  votes,  the 
tellers  shall  determine,  by  lot,  which  of  them  is  elected. 
They  shall  also  forward,  by  the  tenth  of  January,  to  the 
editor  of  the  Religions  Telescope  for  publication  the  names 
and  post-office  addresses  of  those  elected.  They  shall  also 
transmit  to  the  Publishing  Agent,  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  a 
complete  list  of  all  persons  voted  for  and  the  number  of 
votes  cast  for  each,  which  record  shall  be  furnished  to 
the  ensuing  Ceneral  Conference,  and  if  one  or  more  of 
those  elected  should  be  prevented  from  attending,  by 
death,  sickness,  or  othenvise,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
tellers  or  secretary  of  the  General  Conference  to  notify 
the  next  highest  on  the  l)ill  to  take  his  place,  and  so  on, 
descending,  if  need  be,  to  the  last  candidate.  No  bills 
of  election  I'eceived  by  the  tellers  after  the  first  day  of 
January  shall  be  counted. 

Contests. 

13.  In  case  of  contest  for  the  seat  of  any  delegate  re- 
ported elected  to  the  General  Conference  by  the  board  of 
tellers  of  his  conference,  the  contestor  shall  give  notice  to 
the  contestee  in  writing  forty  days  before  the  sitting  of 
the  General  Conference,  in  which  charges  and  specifica- 
tions shall  be  ])lainly  stated.  Any  person  failing  to  give 
such  notice  shall  forfeit  his  right  to  contest  in  the  General 
Conference. 


44  DISCIPLINE 

Location  and  Entertainment  of  the  General  Conference. 

14.  The  arrangements  for  the  place  and  entertainment 
of  the  General  Conference,  if  not  determined  at  its  ses- 
sions, shall  be  referred,  with  full  power  to  act,  to  the  board 
of   trustees   and   the   Agent   of   the   Printing    Establishment. 

15.  Said  board  shall  estimate  the  amount  required  for 
the  expenses  of  the  General  Conference,  including  traveling 
expenses  and  boarding  of  delegates  and  bishops,  and  shall 
report  the  same  to  the  Board  of  Bishops,  who  shall  equitably 
apportion  the  same  among,  and  report  the  same  to  the 
annual  conferences  early  in  the  first  year  of  the  quadren- 
nium  next  preceding  the  sitting  of  the  General  Conference : 
said  apportionments  shall  be  by  each  annual  conference 
apportioned  to  each  charge  in  the  conference,  and  the  pastors 
required  to  collect  and  turn  over  the  same  to  the  conference 
treasurer  at  the  close  of  the  year,  and  the  conference  treasurer 
shall,  as  soon  as  the  apportionment  is  all  collected,  send  said 
amount  to  the  General  Church  Treasurer  at  Dayton,  Ohio. 

16.  This  money  shall  be  known  as  the  General  Confer- 
ence Expense  Fund,  and  shall  be  distributed  among  the 
delegates  and  bishops  in  proportion  to  their  traveling  ex- 
penses by  the  most  direct  route  to  and  from  the  seat  of 
the  General  Conference,  and  shall  include  their  board  and 
lodging  during  the  sessions  of  the  Conference ;  provided, 
however,  that  if  any  conference  shall  fail  to  raise  the  full 
amount  of  its  apportionment,  said  conference  delegation 
shall  receive  from  said  fund  in  proportion  to  the  amount 
raised  by  the  conference. 

Examination  of  Annual  Conferences. 

17.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  General  Conference  to 
examine  the  administration  of  each  annual  conference, 
whether  it  has  strictly  observed  the  rules  and  preserved 
the  moral  and  doctrinal  principles  of  the  Discipline  in  all 
its  transactions. 

Election  of  Officers. 

18.  In  the  election  of  all  ofticers  of  the  General  Con- 
ference, a  majority  of  all  the  votes  shall  be  necessary  to  a 
choice. 

Boards  of  Trustees. 

19.  If  the  board  of  trustees  of  any  of  our  Church  in- 
stitutions  shall,    on   account   of   removals,   or  otherwise,   at 


GOVERNMENT   OF  THE   CHUHCII  45 

any  time  not  have  the  number  of  members  required  by  the 
charter  of  such  institutions  to  be  selected  from  a  particular 
State,  said  board  shall  be  authorized  to  supply  said  de- 
ficiency by  the  selection  of  additional  trustees. 

Section  X. 

GENERAL    CHUKCII    TREASURER.^ 

The  General  Conference  shall  elect  a  General  Church 
Treasurer,  who  shall  be  the  treasurer  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
and  who  shall  receive  and  disburse,  on  order,  the  funds  of 
the  Home  Missionary  Society,  the  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety, Church  Erection  Society,  the  Board  of  Control  of 
the  Sunday  School,  Brotherhood  and  Young  People's  AVork, 
the  Board  of  Education,  General  Conference  Expense  Fund, 
Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary  Fund,  and  other  benevolent 
funds  of  the  Church.  Said  treasurer  shall  give  bond  for 
the  faithful  performance  of  his  duty,  the  bond  to  be  fixed 
by  the  Board  of  Bishops  and  the  salary  by  the  General 
Conference. 

Section  XI. 

ORPHANAGES    AND    OLD    PEOPLE'S    HOMES. 

1.  Any  conference  or  number  of  conferences,  with  the 
consent  of  the  Board  of  Bishops,  may  unite  in  founding  an 
Old  People's  Home,  Orphanage,  or  Hospital. 

2.  The  conference  or  conferences  founding  and  support- 
ing any  of  said  institutions  shall  elect  the  board  of  trustees. 

3.  Said  board  of  trustees  shall  be  incorporated,  and  shall 
hold  all  property  in  trust  for  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ. 

4.  The  board  of  trustees  shall  adopt  such  plans  and  rules 
as  may  be  necessary  for  the  management  of  said  institu- 
tion, provided  such  rules  are  in  harmony  with  the  Disci- 
pline of  the  Church. 

5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Board  of  Bishops  to  pre- 
sent the  above  interests  to  each  annual  conference  coop- 
erating with   said   institution. 

6.  The  Quincy  United  Brethren  Orphanage  and  Home, 
located  at  Quincy,    Franklin   County,   Pa.,   is   recognized  as 

^For  filling  vacancy,  see  General  Conference  px'oceedings  of 
1001,   pages  473   and  545. 


46  DISCIPLINE 

sustaining  a  well-defined  relation  to  the  Church  as  a  general 
institution. 

7.  One  person  duly  appointed  by  the  General  Confer- 
ence and  the  bishop  of  the  East  District  are  authorized 
by  the  General  Conference  to  be  part  of  the  Board  ot 
Control.  Christmas  is  recognized  as  the  time  for  an  annual 
free-will  offering  for  the  support  of  the  institution. 

8.  In  order  to  secure  the  best  results  from  concentration, 
no  similar  institution  may  be  estal)lished  without  the  ap- 
proval of  the  Board  of  Bishops,  as  to  its  proper  location. 

9.  The  Old  People's  Home,  located  at  Mechanicsburg. 
Pa.,  as  an  institution  of  great  need  in  our  Zion,  where  our 
worthy,  aged  poor  in  need  of  a  home  can  spend  the  remain- 
ing days  of  their  earthly  career,  is  recognized  as  a  general 
institution  of  the  Church.  The  General  Conference  shall 
appoint  one  person,  who.  with  the  .bishop  of  the  E'ast 
District,  shall    cooperate  with   the   Board   of   Conti'ol. 


CITAPTEIl  VI. 

Ministry  of  the  C'iiurctt. 

Section  I. 

LAY    PREACHERS. 

How  Licensed. 

1.  Any  pei'son,  male  or  female,  desirinsj-  license  as  a 
lay  preacher,  must  obtain  from  the  class  of  which  he  or 
she  is  a  member,  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  members  pres- 
ent, at  a  meeting  called  and  duly  announced  for  that  pur- 
pose, a  recommendation  in  writing,  signed  oy  the  leader,  or 
])i-eacher  in  charge,  to  the  quarterly  conference  of  the  cir- 
cuit, station  or  mission  to  which  he  or  she  belongs,  which 
n)ay  license  him  or  her  after  an  examination  on  the  ques- 
tions for  applicants  for  quarterly  conference  license  to 
l)reach. 

Duties  of  Lay  Preachers. 

2.  Lay  preachers  shall  make  appointments  wherever 
acceptable  to  the  people ;  read  portions  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tnres,  preaching  and  exhorting  therefrom;  give  Bible  read- 
ings; encouraging  Christians  to  cleave  with  purpose  of  heart 
to  the  Lord,  and  sinners  to  flee  the  wrath  to  come;  and  this 
they  shall  do  as  often  as  practicable. 

8.  The  license  of  a  lay  preacher  is  subject  to  renewal 
annually    at    the   discretion   of   the   (juarterly   conference. 

Section  IL 
quarterly  conference  preachers. 
How  Licensed. 
L     Any    person     wishing    to    obtain     license    to    preach, 
must  ol)tain  from  the  class  of  which  he  or  she  is  a  member, 
by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  members  present   at   a   meeting 
calh^d  and  duly  announced  for  that  purpose,   a  recommenda- 
tion   in    writing,   signed    by    the    leader    or    preacher,    to    the 
quarterly    conference   of    the   circuit,    station,    or   mission    to 
which  he  or  slu^  lu^longs;   provided.   lu)wever.   that  only   they 

47 


48  DISCIPLINE 

shall  receive  license  who  have  passed  the  Teacher  Training 
Course,  or  its  full  equivalent,  and  whose  educational  attain- 
ments are  (except  in  extraordinary  cases)  equivalent  to  the 
completion  of  a  public  school  course,  half  way  through  the 
standard  higii-school  grade,  or  to  the  completion  of  half  the 
standard  academic  course  necessary  to  entering  the  fresh- 
man class  of  a  standard  college,  and  expressed  their  pur- 
pose to  make  the  ministry  their  life  work,  and  can  give 
satisfactory  evidence  of  their  call,  religious  experience, 
soundness  of  doctrine,  and  attachment  to  the  Church  and 
its  government.  The  person  making  application  shall  be 
examined  by  the  quarterly  conference,  and  the  following 
questions  shall  be  asked  by  the  chairman  : 

Examination  of  Applicant. 

2.  (1)  Do  you  believe  our  Confession  of  Faith  as  set 
forth  in  our  Book  of  Discipline? 

(2)  Have  you  now  peace  with  God  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ? 

(3)  What  is  your  motive  in  desiring  permission  to 
preach  the  gospel? 

(4)  Are  you  satisfied  with   our   Church  government? 

(5)  Will  you  submit  yourself  to  the  counsel  of  your 
brethren  ? 

(6)  What  is  your  knowledge  of  depravity,  of  redemp- 
tion, of  faith,  of  repentance,  of  justification,  of  regenera- 
tion, and  of  sanctification? 

(7)  What  is  your  knowledge  of  the  ordinary  branches 
of  an  English  or  German  education? 

3.  It  shall  be  the  privilege  of  the  chairman  to  ask  any 
other  question  or  questions  that  he  may  deem  necessary. 

4.  Persons  divorced,  except  on  scriptural  grounds,  shall 
not  be  granted  license. 

5.  No  person  who  habitually  uses  tobacco  in  any  form 
shall  be  granted  a  license  to  preach  the  gospel. 

6.  When  a  preacher  from  another  church  comes  to  us 
with  a  certificate  of  good  standing  in  the  church  in  which 
he  has  held  membership,  and  gives  satisfaction  to  the 
quarterly  conference  concerning  his  agreement  on  the  doc- 
trines, discipline,  government,  and  usages  of  our  Church, 
the  quarterly  conference  may  receive  him,  and  give  him  the 
same  standing  Avhich  he  held  in  the  church  from  which  he 
came,  until  the  succeeding  annual  conference. 


MINISTRY    OF    THE    CHURCH  49 

Course  of  Study. 

7.  A  qnartei'ly-confereuce  preaoher  is  required  to  pur- 
sue tlie  course  of  study  prescribed  in  our  Book  of  Dis- 
cipline, and  to  be  examined  annually  by  the  presiding  elder 
and  preacher  in  charge  at  the  fourth   quarterly  meeting. 

[For  exception  to  this  article,  see  paragraph  7;  on  page 
51.1 

Rencioal  of  License. 

8.  The  license  of  a  quarterly-conference  preacher  is  sub- 
ject to  renewal  annually,  at  the  discretion  of  the  quarterly- 
ly  conference,  ijrovided,  however,  that  when  the  course  of 
study  required  has  been  taken,  he  shall  be  excused  from 
further  examination,  and  shall  hold  his  license  subject  to 
the  discretion  of  the   quarterly   conference. 

Recommendation  to  Annual  Conference. 

9.  After  a  quarterly-conference  preacher  has  stood  in 
that  relation  one  or  more  conference  years,  the  quarterly 
conference  may  recommend  him  to  the  annual  conference, 
and  if  not  received  he  shall  sustain  his  former  relation. 
The  recommendation  shall  be  signed  by  the  secretary  of 
the  quarterly  conference  or  the  presiding  elder. 

Section  III. 

ANNUAL-CONFERENCE    PREACHERS. 

How  Received. 

1.  Any  person  proposed  as  a  preacher  shall  be  exam- 
ined by  the  annual  conference,  or  a  select  committee  there- 
of ;   and  the  following  questions  shall   be  asked   him  : 

Preacher's  Examination. 

2.  (1)  Have  you  known  God  in  Christ  Jesus  to  be  a 
sin-pardoning  God? 

(2)  Have  you  now  peace  with  God,  and  is  the  love  of 
God  shed  abroad  in  your  heart  by  the  Holy  Spirit? 

(3)  Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God, 
and  that  therein  is  contained  the  only  true  way  to  our  sal- 
vation ? 

(4)  What  foundation  have  you  for  such  belief? 

(5)  Do   you   follow   after  holiness? 

(6)  What  is  your  motive  for  desiring  permission  to 
preach  the  gospel? 


50  DISCIPLINE 

(7)  Do  you  believe  that  man,  apart  from  the  grace  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  is  fallen  from  original  righteous- 
ness, and  is  not  only  entirely  destitute  of  holiness,  but  is 
inclined  to  evil,  and  only  evil,  and  that  continually ;  and 
that  except  a  man  be  born  again  he  cannot  see  the  king- 
dom of  heaven? 

(8)  What  is  your  knowledge  of  redemption,  of  faith, 
of  repentance,  justification,   regeneration,  and  sanctification? 

(!))  Does  your  own  salvation,  and  the  salvation  of  your 
fellow  mortals,  lie  nearer  to  your  heart  than  all  other  things 
in  the  world? 

(10)  Will  you  subject  yourself  to  the  counsel  of  your 
brethren  in  the  Lord? 

(11)  Are  you  satisfied  with  our  Church  government? 

(12)  Are  you  willing,  as  much  as  is  in  your  power,  to 
assist  in  upholding  our  itinerant  plan? 

Educatio  n  a  I  Requireni  en  ts. 

3.  (1)  Educational  attainments  equivalent  to  the  comple- 
tion of  a  standard  academy  or  a  standard  high-school 
course,  are  required  for  admission  to  the  annual  conference. 
(2)  The  foregoing,  in  addition  to  the  completion  of  the 
quarterly  and  annual  conference  courses  of  study,  are  re- 
(|uired  for  ordination.  (H)  The  ideal  preparation  for  effi- 
cient work  in  the  ministry  is  a  full  college  course,  followed 
l»y  a  theological  course,  to  which  standard  we  earnestly 
urge  our  young  ministers  to  aspire. 

Qualifications  of  Applicanli^. 

4.  None  can  be  admitted  without  having  a  recom- 
mendation from  the  quarterly  conference,  and  then  only 
to  be  received  on  probation ;  neither,  except  in  extraor- 
dinary cases,  can  any  one  be  admitted  who  has  not  com- 
pleted a  public-school  course  through  the  high-school 
grade,  or  the  standard  preparatory  course  in  college,  or  its 
fair  equivalent ;  such  cases  to  be  decided  by  a  two-thirds 
vote  of  the  annual  conference.  If  the  conference  should, 
on  examination,  find  that  the  candidate-s  abilities  are  in- 
sufficient to  preach  the  gospel,  it  m.ay'  refer  him  back  to 
the  quarterly  conference  for  further  instruction. 

n.  Persons  divorced,  except  on  scriptural  grounds,  shall 
not  be  granted   license  to  preach. 

<).  *  No  person  shall  be  granted  license  to  preach  the  gos- 
pel   who    uses    tobacco    in   any    form.       The    license    of   any 


MINISTRY    OF    THE    CHURCH  51 

preacher  who   uses   tobacco,   may,   upon  proper  evidence,   l)e 
revoked  by  the  annual  conference. 

Exemption  from  Examination. 

7.  Any  person  pursuing  the  quarterly-  or  annual-con- 
ference course  of  study  who  presents  a  certificate  to  the 
effect  that  he  has  completed  branches  or  books  contained 
in  the  courses  in  the  Discipline,  at  any  of  our  schools,  or 
at  schools  whose  standard  of  excellence  is  acceptable  to 
the  parties  conducting  the  examination  on  behalf  of  the 
Church,  said  certificates  shall  preclude  the  necessity  for 
further  examination  in  the  branches  or  books  which  have 
been   completed   as   evidenced   by  said  certificates. 

Sacraments  and   Unordained  Preachers. 

8.  Unordained  annual  conference  preachej's  who  are  en- 
gaged in  the  active  work  of  the  ministry  and  who  are 
regularly  and  industriously  pursuing  their  course  of  study, 
may  be  permitted  by  their  annual  conference  to  administ(^r 
the  sacraments  of  the  Church. 

An  Expelled  Preacher. 

9.  When  a  preacher  or  elder  has  been  expelled,  or  with- 
draws from  an  annual  conference,  he  shall  not  be  received 
into  another  conference  without  the  consent  of  the  confer- 
ence with  N\'hich  he  was  formerly  connected. 

Prea cher's  Tra n  sfer. 

10.  A  preacher  or  elder  who  has  labored  in  the  bounds 
of  an  annual  conference  other  than  the  one  to  which  he 
belongs,  for  two  years,  shall  l)e  reqiiired  to  obtain  a  trans- 
fer from  the  conference  to  which  he  belongs  and  to  unite 
with  the  conference  in  whose  bounds  he  labors,  or  to  I'e- 
turn  to  his  own  conference  for  work  ;  provided,  that  presi- 
dents and  professors  of  schools  and  colleges,  students  in 
our  institutions  of  learning,  and  others  engaged  in  general 
church  work,  shall  be  exempt  from  this  requirement. 

11.  A  preacher  removing  from  one  conference  to  an- 
other shall,  when  he  applies  to  the  latter  for  admission, 
produce  a  transfer  from  the  former,  signed  by  the  presid- 
ing officer  and  secretary. 

Limit   of  Transfer. 

12.  A  preacher  or  elder  who  receives  a  transfer  is  re- 
(|uired  to  present  said  trniisfrr  to  iuiother  confci-encc,   or  to 


52  DISCIPLINE 

return  it  to  the  conference  by  which  it  was  issued,  within 
two  years  after  its  date.  Otherwise  the  transfer  shall  be 
null  and  void,  and  it  shall  be  published  that  said  preacher 
is  not  longer  connected  with  our  Church  as  a  minister. 

Accountability  of  Transferred  Preachers. 
IH.  A  preacher  or  elder  receiving  a  transfer  shall  be  a 
member  of  the  quarterly  conference  in  whose  bounds  he 
may  reside,  and  shall  also  be  accountable  for  his  moral 
and  official  conduct  to  the  annual  conference  granting  said 
transfer,  until  his  transfer  be  received  by  the  conference 
to  which  he  has  been  transferred. 

Bible  Cause. 
14.     It    shall    be    the    duty    of   every    pastor    to    take    an 
offering  each  year  on  his  charge  for  the  Bible  cause,   and 
report  same  to  his  annual  conference. 

Section  IV. 

RECEPTION   OF  PREACHERS  FROM  OTHER  CHURCHES. 

When  a  preacher  from  another  church  comes  to  us  with 
a  certificate  of  good  standing  in  the  church  in  which  he 
has  held  membership,  or  Avith  a  transfer  from  a  confer- 
ence, presbytery,  or  synod,  and  gives  satisfaction  to  the 
annual  conference  concerning  his  agreement  on  the  doc- 
trines, discipline,  government,  and  usages  of  our  Church, 
the  conference  may  receive  him.  If  he  be  an  ordained  elder, 
he  must  pass  the  examination  required  of  candidates  for 
elder's  orders,  but  he  may  be  exempt  from  the  laying  on  of 
hands. 

Section  V. 

CLASSIFICATION   OF   THE  MINISTRY. 

Classes. 

1.  The  ministry  of  the  Church  shall  be  classified  after 
the  following  order :  First,  as  elders  and  licentiates ;  sec- 
ond, as  itinerants  (active,  superannuated,  or  supernumer- 
ary)  and  local  preachers. 

Elders. 

2.  Elders  are  ministers  who  have  been  ordained  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  provisions  of  Section  VI.  of  this  chapter. 


MINI8TKY    OF    THE    CIIUHCII  Od 

Licentiates. 

3.  Licentiates  are  ministers  who  have  received  annual- 
conference  license,  but  have  not  yet  been  ordained. 

Itinerants. 

4.  To  this  class  shall  belong  all  annual-conference  min- 
isters who  have  been  regularlj^  received  into  the  itinerancy. 
They  may  be  active,  superannuated,  or  supernumerary. 

(1)  Active  Itinerants  are  such  itinerants  as  have  re- 
ceived work  from  the  conference  or  Church. 

(2)  l^uperannuatcd  Itinerants  are  such  itinerants  as 
are  from  age  or  physical  infirmities  unable  to  pursue  the 
regular  work  of  the  ministry. 

(3)  ^upernumerarrj  Itinerants  are  such  as  have  been 
admitted  to  the  itinerancy  and  are  willing  to  work,  but  for 
whom  the  conference  and  the  Church,  for  the  time  being,  are 
not  able  to  find  work,  or  who,  by  their  own  request,  have 
been  voted  to  such  relation. 

Local  Preachers. 

5.  To  this  class  shall  belong  such  annual-conference 
preachers  as  are  not  admitted  to  the  itinerancy. 

Glass — Hoio  Determined. 

6.  The  annual  confei-ence  shall  determine  to  which  of 
the  foregoing  classes  each  minister  shall  belong.  Should 
an  itinerant  leave  in  an  irregular  way  the  work  assigned 
him,  he  shall  forfeit  his  standing  as  an  itinerant. 

Evangelists. 

7.  No  preacher  shall  be  recognized  as  an  evangelist  un- 
less he  is  so  authorized  by  vote  of  the  annual  conference  to 
which  he  belongs  or  by  the  General  Board  of  Home  Missions. 
He  shall  report  his  work  annually  to  the  conference  or 
Board  of  Home  Missions. 

Section  VI. 

ELDERS. 

Licentiate's  Probation. 
1.     After  a  probation  of  four  years,  a  licentiate  preacher 
may   be  presented  to   the  annual  conference  for  elder's  or- 


54  DISCIPLINE 

(lers  ;   whereupon  the  hisliop  shall   propose  to  the  couferenre 
the  following  questions  : 

Questions  Regarding  a    Candidate. 

2.  (1)      Is  lie  blameless  touchiuj;;  the  marriatre  state? 
(2)      Is  his  deportment  in  the  social  circle  marked   with 

wat chf ul   sobriety V 

i'S)      Is  he  hospitable  toward  the  afflicted  and  needy? 

(4)  Is  he  faithful  in  the  public  ministration  of  God's 
word,  and  diligent  in   reading  and  study? 

(5)  Is  his  household   subject  to  rules  of  piety? 

3.  Should  the  above  questions  be  answered  in  llie 
affirmative,  a  committee  of  three  or  five  elders  shall  be  ap- 
pointed, before  whom  the  candidate  shall  appear  and  make 
answer   to   the   following  questions : 

Committee   Examination. 

4.  (1)  T'pon  what  foundation  do  you  believe  the  Bible 
to  be  the  word  of  God? 

(2)  How  do  you  jirove  the  fall  of  man  l)y  transgression? 

(3)  How  do  you  prove  the  redemption  of  man  by  Jesus 
Christ? 

(4)  Do  you  believe   in   the  deity   of  .Jesus  Christ? 

(5)  What   foundation  have  you  for  such  a  l)elief? 

(0)  Do  you  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost  as  presented  in 
our  Confession  of  Faith? 

(7)  Upon  what   evidence  do  you   believe  this? 

(8)  Do  you  believe  in  future  everlasting  punishment? 

Duties  of  the  Committee. 

5.  It  shall  be  the  right  of  the  committee  to  propose  any 
question  touching  the  answers  given,  if  said  answers  should 
be  unsatisfactory.  It  shall  also  be  their  duty  to  make  out, 
sign,  and  deliver  to  the  conference  a  report  of  each  case 
which  may  have  been   before  them.. 

Election  to  Elders'   Orders, 
i].     If    the    committee   and    conference    find    (he    candidate 
worthy,    by    a    majority   of    the    votes    of    the   elders    of   con- 
ference  he   may   be  elected    to   ordination. 

Duties  of  an  Elder. 
7.     It  is  the  duty  of  an  elder  to  preach  the  gosi)el,  to  ad- 
minister the   sacraments  of  baptism  and   the  Lord's  supper, 


MINISTRY    OF    THE    CIIURCll  55 

to  solemnize  marriages,  to  perforin  nil  ])arts  of  divine  serv- 
ice, to  be  an  example  to  others  by  himself  following  the 
Savior's  example ;  and  in  a  very  special  manner  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  an  elder  to  cherish  and  encourage  yonng 
ministers,  and  always  to  be  looking  for  those  whom  God 
has  called  to  preach,  and  ad^■ise  them  to  take  up  the  cross 
and  Ijegin  work  without  delay,  or,  in  case  it  is  required,  to 
enter  upon  the  fullest  preparation,  that  the  gathering  of 
the  gospel   harvest   may  be  faithfully  performed. 

Section  VII. 

PRESIDING  ELDERS. 

FAcciion   of  Prcf^idhiff  KJdcrs. 

1.  Presiding  elders  shall  be  elected  by  the  annual  con- 
ferences liy  ballot.  A  majority  of  the  whole  number  of 
votes  shall  be  necessary  to  a  choice. 

Support  of  Presiding  Elders. 

2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  several  annual  confer- 
ences to  make  such  regulations  for  the  support  of  presid- 
ing elders  as  they  in  their  wisdom  may  think  best  calcu- 
lated to  accomplish   the  desired  end. 

Stationinr/  PresidiHfi  Elders. 

3.  Presiding  elders  shall  be  stationed  by  the  bishop  and 
two  elders  or  preachers  elected  by  .ballot  from  each  presid- 
ing-elder  district. 

Duties  of  Presidiiif/  Elders. 

4.  The  duties  of  a  presiding  elder  are  :  To  superintend 
the  district  appointed  to  him,  to  preach  as  often  as  is 
practicable,  to  give  special  attention  to  evangelistic  work, 
home  missions,  church  erection,  and  education.  It  shall 
also  be  his  duty  to  make  strict  inquiry  whether  each  pastor 
has  received  the  amount  of  sa.lary  due  him,  and,  in  case  of  a 
deficiency,  to  make  an  earnest  effort  to  secure  the  amount 
due.  and  to  have  all  the  assessments  i)aid  in  full  on  his 
district. 

5.  He  shall  appoint  the  quarterly  conferences  and 
camp-meetings,  and  attend  them  when  practicable.  He 
shall  hold  quarterly  conferences  and  administer  the  or- 
dinances of  God's  house  or  arrange  for  them.  He  shall 
inquire  whether  preachers  do  their  duty,  and  exhort  them"  to 


56  DISCIPLINE 

maintain  discipline  and  order,  love  and  reverence,  in  the 
Church.  He  shall  look  after  the  organization  of  Young 
People's  societies  on  his  district,  and  make  inquiry  in  the 
quarterly  conferences  as  to  the  work  of  the  societies,  and 
keep  a  record  of  the  number  of  members  and  the  names 
of  corresponding  secretaries  and  their  addresses,  and  report 
them  to  the  corresponding  secretary  of  the  Branch  Union. 
He  may  call  extra  sessions  of  the  quarterly  conference. 

0.  The  presiding  elder  shall  earnestly  endeavor  to  arouse 
the  membership  of  the  Church  to  a  more  uniform  perform- 
ance of  their  duties  on  a  minimum  salary  of  six  hundred 
dollars  and  parsonage  on  each  charge,  and  shall  suggest 
the  most  practicable  means  for  securing  the  same. 

7.  At  the  second  quarterly  conference  of  each  year,  the 
presiding  elders  shall  examine  the  boards  of  trustees  of 
church-houses  and  parsonages  as  to  their  having  procured 
articles  of  incorporation  according  to  the  laws  of  the  State 
and  the  regulations  of  the  Church,  and  shall  give  such  in- 
structions as  may  be  necessary. 

8.  Each  presiding  elder  shall  make  a  report,  in  writing, 
of  his  district,  annually,  to  the  annual  conference. 

Vacancies. 

9.  Should  any  district,  through  death,  resignation,  or 
otherwise,  be  without  a  presiding  elder,  information  shall 
be  immediately  given  to  the  bishop,  who  shall  appoint  an 
elder  to  preside  in  said  district  until  the  ensuing  annual 
conference. 

Potoer  to  Exchange  Pastors. 

10.  Should  it  become  desirable  to  exchange  the  pastors 
of  two  charges  on  his  district,  the  presiding  elder  may,  in 
conjunction  with  two  elders,  preachers,  lay  preachers,  or  lead- 
ers  (one  from  each  charge),  change  the  said  pastors. 

Poiver  to  Dismiss  Pastors. 

11.  The  presiding  elder  may,  in  conjunction  with  the 
quarterly  conference,  dismiss  a  jiastor  from  his  charge  for 
inefficiency  or  neglect  of  duty. 

12.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  fill  any  vacancy  in  the  pas- 
torates on  his  district  caused  by  death,  resignation,  or 
otherwise. 


MINISTRY    OF    THE   CHURCH  57 

Section  VIII. 

BISHOPS. 

Election   of  Bishops. 

1.  The  General  Conference  shall  elect  bishops  for  the 
term  of  four  years,  who  may,  at  the  option  of  the  Confer- 
ence,  be  reelected. 

Holding  Conferences. 

2.  The  bishops  shall  arrange  the  time  of  holding  the 
several  conferences,  and  attend  and  preside  over  them  as 
the  General  Conference  shall  direct. 

Salaries  of  Bishops. 

3.  The  General  Conference  shall  fix  the  salaries  of  the 
liishops.  Apportionments  to  meet  these  salaries  shall  be 
made  to  the  Church  by  the  bishops.  Apportionments  thus 
made  to  the  annual  conferences  and  mission  districts  shall 
be  apportioned  to  the  various  fields  of  labor  according  to 
the  ability  of  each. 

Residences  of  Bishops. 

4.  Each  bishop  shall  reside  within  the  bounds  of  the 
district  to  which  he  shall  be  assigned.  The  bishops  shall 
be  assigned  to  their  respective  districts  by  a  committee  of 
three  from  each  district,  to  be  elected  by  the  delegates  from 
that  district  assembled  for  that  purpose. 

Duties  of  Bishops. 

presiding   at   CONFERENCES. 

5.  It  is  the  duty  of  bishops  to  preside  over  the  annual 
and  Genera]  conferences,  and  strictly  examine  into  the 
moral  and  official  character  of  the  memibers  of  the  annual 
conferences  in  the  bounds  of  tlieir  distincts.  and  see  that 
nil  the  laws  of  the  Church  are  faithfully  executed.  TTie 
bishops  may  interchange  with  each  other  in  the  holding  of 
conferenr-es  when  they  deem  it  necessary  or  expedient  to 
do  so. 

superintendents'  association. 

H.  The  bishop  of  each  district  may  call  together,  annu- 
ally, the  presiding  elders  of  his  district,  at  some  convenient 
place,  for  the  purpose  of  consultation,  and  planning  for  the 
advancement  of  the  interests  of  the  Church. 


58  DISCIPLINE 

The  bishop  shall  be  chairman  c.r  officio  of  this  body. 

ITpon  assembling,  the  ])isho])  shall  direct  the  organization 
of  the  association,  which  shall  consist  of  a  vice-president, 
a  secretary,  a  treasurer,  and  such  other  officers  as  may  be 
necessary. 

Each  annual  conference  representation  within  the  district 
shall  be  entitled  to  one  vote  upon  all  matters  coming  before 
the  association. 

The  business  of  the  Su])erintendents'  Association  shall  lie 
to  consider  the  material  and  spiritual  advancement  of  the 
Church,  and  devise  methods  and  provide  means  for  pro- 
moting the  same. 

►Special  attention  shall  be  given  to  the  planting  of  mis- 
sions in  growing  towns  and  cities  where  our  Church  is  not 
already  represented. 

Each  annual  conference  shall  provide  for  the  traveling 
expenses  and  entertainment  of^  its  delegate  or  delegates  to 
the  association. 

ORDINATION    OF    PREACHERS. 

7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  bishops  to  perform  the 
rite  of  ordination  at  the  annual  conferences,  and  at  such 
other  times  and  places  as  circumstances  may  reciuire,  but 
only  upon  such  persons  as  have  passed  the  usual  exami- 
nation required  of  candidates  for  ordination,  by  a  com- 
mittee of  three  elders  chosen  for  that  purpose  by  one  of  the 
bishops. 

ANNUAL    MEETINGS. 

8.  The  bishops  shall  hold  annual  meetings,  in  which 
they  shall  determine  the  time  of  holding  the  annual  con- 
ferences; decide  questions  of  discipline;  adopt  measures 
to  secure  uniformity  in  their  administration ;  and  when 
circumstances  demand  it,  appoint  fast  and  thanksgiving 
seasons,  and  give  counsel  upon  the  general  interests  of  the 
Church. 

SPECIAL    SESSIONS. 

9.  The  bishop  of  any  district  shall  reconvene  any  an- 
nual conference,  when  requested  to  do  so  by  the  majority 
of  said  conference. 


MINISTRY    OF    THE    CHURCH  59 

ORGANIZING    MISSION    CONFERENCES. 

10.  In  coujunctioii  with  either  of  the  boards  of  missions, 
(Home  or  Foreign)  a  bishop  shall  have  power  to  organize 
mission  conferences. 

11.  The  bishops  shall  confer  with  the  presiding  elders 
and  pastors,  to  secure  definite  aims  and  wise  methods  for 
the  development  of  the  interests  of  home  missions,  foreign 
missions,  and  church  erection,  and  shall  devote  as  much 
of  their  time  as  practicable  to  visiting  our  mission  stations 
and  exploring  new  fields. 

GENERAL  FINANCIAL  AND  EDUCATIONAL  INTERESTS. 

12.  The  bishops  shall  devote  attention  to  the  general 
financial  and  educational  interests  of  the  Church. 

REPORTS. 

13.  The  bishops  shall  publish  annually,  in  the  coliunus 
of  the  RclifpoKS  Telescope  and  Froliehe  Bofschafter,  re- 
ports of  their  respective  districts,  and  also  the  amount  of 
salary  received  from  the  several  annual  conferences  in 
their  charge. 

VACANCY  IN    A  DISTRICT. 

14.  In  case  of  a  vacancy  in  the  office  of  bishop  in  any 
district,  it  shall  bo  the  duty  of  the  remaining  bishops  to 
divide  the  work  of  said  district  among  themselves,  or 
hold  an  election  by  letter  ballot ;  all  members  of  the  pre- 
ceding General  Conference,  who  are  members  of  the  Church, 
voting.  The  Publishing  Agent  sball  provide  and  send  out 
the  blank  ballots  and  return  envelopes  under  the  direction 
of  the  Board  of  Bishops.  The  Board  of  Bishops  shall  ap- 
lH)int  a  board  of  three  tellers  from  the  membership  of  our 
Chui-ch  in  the  vicinity  of  Dayton,  Ohio.  The  ballots  sball 
be  turned  over  to  them  by  the  Publishing  Agent,  as  directed 
by  the  bishops.  The  bishops  shall  set  a  date  when  the 
ballots  must  be  in.  and  also  when  and  where  the  ballots 
shall  be  counted  by  the  tellers,  these  two  dates  to  be  printed 
on  the  blank  ballots  sent  out  to  the  delegates.  Tlie  tellers' 
shall  certify  the  entire  vote  to  the  bishops,  and  they  shall 
announce  the  election. 

ANNUAL   ADDRESS    AND    SERMON. 

lo.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  bishops  to  deliver  a  suit- 
able address  and  sermon  to  each  annual  conference. 


60  DISCIPLINE 

FOREIGN    FIELD. 

16.  The  foreign  fields  shall  be  under  the  supervision  of 
the  Board  of  Bishops,  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  and 
the  Woman's  Missionary  Association  conjointly. 

STATIONING    OF    PREACHERS. 

17.  For  stationing  presiding  elders,  see  "Stationing  Pre- 
siding Elders,"  page  55.  For  stationing  pastors,  see  "Sta- 
tioning Committee,"  page  65. 

COUNCIL    MEETINGS. 

18.  The  secretary  or  manager  of  each  department  of 
Church  work,  to  wit :  Publishing  House,  Home  Missions. 
Foreign  Missions,  Woman's  Missionary  Association,  Sunday 
School,  Brotherhood,  and  Young  People's  Work,  Church 
Erection,  Theological  Seminary,  and  Education,  shall  meet 
annually  with  the  Board  of  Bishops,  to  consult,  to  harmon- 
ize, and  to  plan  the  work  of  the  Church. 

Section  IX. 

TRIAL   OF   PREACHERS. 

Quarterly-Conference  Preachers. 
1.  When  a  quarterly  conference  preacher,  or  lay  preacher, 
is  accused  of  any  scriptural  offense,  the  pastor  of  the  charge 
where  said  preacher  holds  his  or  her  church  membership, 
shall  appoint  one  or  more  competent  persons  as  a  committee, 
to  inquire  into  the  nature  of  the  complaints,  and  if  there  be 
grounds  for  charges,  and  the  accused  fails  to  make  restitution 
and  give  proper  expressions  of  repentance,  the  committee  shall 
prefer  charges  against  the  accused :  if  not,  the  committee 
shall  report  to  the  next  quarterly  conference  of  which  the 
accused  is  a  member,  that  there  is  no  cause  for  further 
action.  If  charges  are  preferred,  the  quarterly  conference 
shall  appoint  a  prosecutor,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  notify 
the  accused  to  choose  a  committeeman,  the  prosecutor  choos- 
ing a  committeeman,  in  behalf  of  the  Church,  and  these  two 
a  third,  all  of  whom  shall  be  members  of  the  Church,  before 
which  committee  the  case  shall  be  tried.  The  prosecutor 
shall  notify  the  pastor  of  the  charge  when  said  committee 
has  been  properly  formed,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
pastor  to  appoint  the  time  and  place  of  trial ;  giving  not 
less  than  ten  nor  more  than  twenty  days'  notice ;  and  he 
shall  also  act  as  chairman  in  the  case.  If  a  majority  of  the 
committee  be  satisfied  that  the  accusation  is  sustained,   the 


MINISTRY    OF   THE    CnUKCH  61 

chairman  shall  require  the  accused  to  hold  his  or  her  peace 
until  the  quarterly  conference,  where  the  accused  shall  be 
accountable,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  committee  to 
transmit  in  written  form  the  proceedings  and  findings  of  said 
trial  to  the  quarterly  conference,  and  if  the  findings  are  sus- 
tained, the  accused  shall  be  suspended,  expelled,  or  otherwise 
dealt  with,  as  the  quarterly  conference  may  determine.  Bui 
should  the  accused,  after  being  duly  notified,  refuse,  or  neg- 
lect, or  fail  to  choose  a  committeeman  ;  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence shall  appoint  a  committee  of  three  persons,  who  shall 
hear  the  case  and  decide. 

Aiuiual  Conference  Preachers. 

2.  .  When  a  preacher  or  elder  is  accused  of  immorality, 
tresspass,  imprudent  conduct,  or  disobedience  to  the  order 
and  discipline  of  the  Church,  the  presiding  elder  of  the  dis- 
trict, in  the  bounds  of  which  the  accused  shall  reside  or  hold- 
membership,  shall  appoint  a  preacher,  who  shall  take  with 
him  another  preacher  or  leader,  and  examine  into  the  charge, 
following  the  Apostle's  instruction  (I.  Tim.  5:  19)  :  "Against 
an  elder  receive  not  an  accusation,  but  before  two  or  three 
witnesses."  If  it  should  appear  that  said  reports  are  well 
founded,  the  examiners  shall  prefer  charges  against  the  ac- 
cused ;  if  not,  he  shall  report  to  the  next  quarterly  conference, 
of  which  the  accused  is  a  member,  that  he  found  no  cause  for 
action.  If  charges  are  pi'^ferred,  the  quarterly  conference  shall 
appoint  a  prosecutor,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  notify  the  ac- 
cused in  writing,  setting  forth  all  the  charges  preferred  against 
him.  He  shall  also  notify  him  to  choose  an  elder  as  his  com- 
mitteeman, the  prosecutor  choosing  an  elder  as  committeeman 
in  behalf  of  the  Church,  and  these  two  a  third  elder  or  preacher, 
before  which  committee  the  case  shall  be  tried.  The  prose- 
cutor shall  also  notify  the  presiding  elder  of  the  district,  and 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  presiding  elder  to  appoint  the  time 
and  place  of  trial,  giving  not  less  than  twenty  nor  more  than 
thirty  days'  notice  to  the  parties  concerned,  and  he  shall  also 
act  as  chairman  in  the  case.  Should  a  majority  of  the  com- 
mittee be  satisfied  that  the  accusation  is  sustained,  and  he  is 
found  guilty  of  a  serious  offense,  they  shall  require  him  to 
hold  his  peace  until  the  annual  conference,  where  he  shall 
be  accountable,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  committee  to 
transmit  in  writing,  the  entire  proceedings  of  said  trial,  to 
the  annual  conference,  where  the  accused  shall  have  a  hear- 
ing liefore  the  conference,  or  a  conuuittee  thereof  ;  and  if  the 


G2  DISCIPLINE 

findings   are   snstained,   he  shall   be  suspended,   expelled,   or 
otherwise  dealt  with,  as  the  conference  may  determine. 

But  should  the  accused,  after  having-  been  duly  notified, 
refuse  or  neglect  to  comply  in  choosing  his  committeeman 
and  notifying  the  prosecutor  within  fifteen  days,  the  presid- 
ing elder  shall  suspend  him  until  the  annual  conference, 
where,  if  he  shall  refuse  to  appear,  he  shall  be  dealt  with  ac- 
cording to  the  judgment  of  the  conference;  provided,  how- 
ever, if  he  be  an  elder,  elders  only  shall  vote  in  the  case; 
and  provided  further,  that  if  the  committeemen  choosen  by 
the  prosecutor  and  accused  fail  to  agree  as  to  the  third  mem- 
ber of  the  committee,  then  the  quarterly  conference  shall  ap- 
point said  committeeman.  If  the  accused  or  prosecutor  be  a 
presiding  elder  or  bishop,  the  presiding  elder  or  bishop,  as 
the  case  may  be,  next  adjoining  shall  act  as  chairman  in 
the  trial ;  provided,  that  in  conferences  having  only  one  pre- 
siding elder  the  bishop  shall  appoint  a  chairman  to  act  in 
the  case. 

3.  The  foregoing  relates  only  to  annual  conference  mem- 
l»ers. 

Trial  of  BisJiops  and  Presiding  Elders. 

4.  When  a  i^residing  elder  shall  be  accused  of  any  mis- 
demeanor, immoral  conduct,  or  disobedience  to  the  order  and 
discipline  of  the  Church,  the  bishop  of  the  district,  in  the 
bounds  of  which  the  accused  shall  reside  or  hold  member- 
ship, shall  appoint  a  committee  of  three  elders,  who  shall 
examine  into  the  complaints,  and  should  the  accused  be  a 
bishop,  then  the  Board  of  Bishops  shall  appoint  a  like  com- 
mittee. If  it ,  shall  appear  that  said  complaints  are  well 
founded,  the  committee  shall  prefer  charges  against  the  ac- 
cused ;  if  not,  the  committee  shall  report  .to  his  quarterly 
conference  that  they  found  no  grounds  of  action.  If  charges 
are  preferred  his  quarterly  conference  shall  appoint  a  prose- 
cutor, whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  notify  the  accused,  in  writ- 
ing, setting  forth  all  the  charges  preferred  against  him.  He 
shall  also  notify  him  to  choose  a  committeeman,  the  prose- 
cutor choosing  a  committeeman  in  behalf  of  the  church,  and 
these  two  a  third,  all  of  whom  shall  be  elders,  before  whom 
the  case  shall  be  tried.  The  prosecutor  shall  also  notify  the 
bishop  or  Board  of  Bishops,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
bishop  or  Board  of  Bishops  to  appoint  the  time  and  place 
of   trial,   giving   not   less   than   twenty   nor   more 'than   forty 


MINISTRY    OF    THE    CHURCH  C3 

(lays'  notice.  The  bisliop,  or  some  one  appointed  by  the 
Hoard  of  Bishops,  shall  act  as  chairnian  in  the  case.  Should 
a  majority  of  the  committee  be  satished  that  the  accusation 
is  sustained,  they  shall  reijuire  him  to  hokl  his  peace  until 
the  sittinj^-  of  his  t-onference,  where  he  shall  be  accountable, 
and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  <-ommittee  to  transmit,  in 
writing,  to  said  annual  conference,  the  entire  proceedings  of 
said  trial,  where  the  accused  shall  have  a  hearing-  before  the 
conference  or  a  committee  thereof,  and  if  the  findings  are 
sustained,  he  shall  be  suspended,  expelled,  or  otherwise 
dealt  with,  as  the  conference  may  determine. 

Section  X. 

MARRIAGE WHO    MAY    SOLEMNIZE. 

1.  All   ordained    ministers. 

2.  All  annual-conference  ministers,  where  the  law  of  the 
State  makes  it  the  privilege  of  every  regularly  licensed 
minister  to  solemnize  marriage,  are  authorized  to  solemnize 
marriage  :  l»ut  none  ha\'ing  quarterly  conference  license  only 
are  permitted  to  do  so. 

Section  XI. 

preachers'    DUTIES    IN    GENERAL. 

1.  The  duties  of  preachers  are,  to  preach  Christ  cruci- 
fied ;  to  organize  churches,  and  report  the  same  to  annual 
conferences.;  converse  with  the  members  on  their  spiritual 
condition ;  administer  relief ;  strengthen  and  direct  those 
that  are  afflicted  or  labor  under  temptations ;  animate  the 
indolent ;  endeavor  as  much  as  possible  to  edify  and  instruct 
all  in  faith,  in  the  Christian  virtues,  and  in  the  knowledge 
of  Jesus  Christ ;  visit  the  sick ;  and  strive  to  enforce  and 
confirm  the  doctrine  they  deliver  by  a  well-ordered  and 
exemplary  life. 

2.  The  pastor  of  a  member  moving  fr^m  one  charge  to 
another  is  required  immediately  to  send  the  transfer  of 
said  member  to  the  pastor  of  the  charge  of  the  Ignited  Breth- 
ren Church  to  which  he  has  removed,  unless  the  member  mov- 
ing beforehand  requests  that  his  membership  remain  with 
his  home  church. 

Directions  to   Preachers. 

3.  Let  preachers  heed  the  following  directions  : 

(1)  Be  diligent.  Never  trifle  away  your  time.  Al- 
ways   be    serious.      Let    your    motto    be,    "Holiness    unto 


64  DISCIPLINE 

THE  Lord."  Avoid  all  vaiu  conversation,  conduct  your- 
self prudently,  and  demean  yourself  in  all  respects  as  a 
true  Christian.  Be  at  all  times  averse  to  crediting  evil 
reports.  Believe  evil  of  no  one  without  good  evidence.  Put 
the  best  construction  on  everything. 

(2)  Speak  evil  of  no  one.  Whatever  may  be  your 
thoughts,  keep  them  within  your  own  breast  until  you 
can  tell  the  person  concerned  what  you  think  wrong  in  his 
conduct. 

(3)  Let  your  business  be  to  save  as  many  souls  as 
possible.  To  this  employment  give  yourself  up  wholly. 
Visit  those  who  need  it,  and  act  in  all  things,  not  accord- 
ing to  your  own  will,  but  as  sons  in  the  gospel ;  for  as 
such  it  becomes  your  duty  to  employ  your  time  in  the 
manner  prescribed,  in  preaching,  and  in  visiting  from 
house  to  house,  in  instruction  and  pra.yer,  and  in  meditat- 
ing on  the  Word  of  God.  With  these  things  be  occupied 
until  our  Lord  shall  come. 

Preachers  Not  to  Tresj}ass. 
4.  No  preacher  shall  arbitrarily  form  a  circuit,  mission, 
or  station  within  the  limits  of  a  circuit  or  presiding-elder 
district,  or  shall  receive  compensation  for  labor  performed, 
without  the  consent  of  the  preacher  in  charge;  nor  shall 
any  minister  preaching  in  a  different  language  accept  a 
call  from  any  regularly-organized  claiss  or  congregation 
which  does  not  belong  to  his  conference,  without  the  con- 
sent of  the  annual  conference  to  which  the  charge  making 
the  request  may  belong.  Any  preacher  violating  the  pro- 
visions of  this  section  shall  be  amenable  to  his  quarterly  or 
annual  conference. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Itinerancy. 

Section  I. 

ITINERANTS. 

How  Constituted. 

1.  All  who  offer  themselves  without  reserve,  after 
having  labored  two  years  under  the  direction  of  the  station- 
ing committee  or  presiding  elder,  and  have  been  received  by 
a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  meml)ers  of  conference,  sliall  be 
recognized  as  itinerants. 

Withdraiving  from  the  Itinerancy. 

2.  If  any  one  who  is  thus  received  shall  withdraw  from 
active  work  without  giving  satisfaction  to  the  conference  of 
which  he  is  a  member,  he  shall  not  be  entitled  to  any  support 
from  the  funds  belonging  to  said  conference.  And,  further- 
more, he  shall  not  reenter  the  itinerancy  without  the  consent 
of  at  least  two-thirds  of  the  conference.  Yet  supernumerary 
and  superannuated  relations  shall  be  duly  recognized  as 
proper  disciplinary  relations,  and  may  be  secured  to  any 
brother  having  just  claims  thereto,  by  a  vote  of  the  confer- 
ence. 

Pastor's  Resignation. 

3.  Should  a  pastor  after  duly  entering  upon  the  work 
assigned  him  desire  to  leave  the  same  for  any  reason,  he  shall 
inform  the  presiding  elder  of  his  intentions,  in  writing,  at 
least  thirty  days  before  his  resignation  is  to  take  effect,  and 
satisfy  him  that  all  his  obligations  to  the  charge  have  been 
satisfactorily  adjusted ;  and  should  said  minister  leave  or 
neglect  his  charge,  except  it  be  through  sickness  or  other 
unavoidable  circumstances,  he  shall  be  accountable  to  the 
next  annual  conference. 

Stationing   Committee. 

4.  The  bishop  and  presiding  elders  of  the  past  and  pres- 
ent years  shall  constitute  a  stationing  committee,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  supply  all  the  circuits,  stations,  and  missions, 

65 


66  DISCIPLINE 

as  far  as  practicable,  from  the  list  of  itinei'ants ;  provided, 
however,  that  where  there  is  but  one  presiding  elder  on  the 
committee,  the  conference  may  elect  to  the  same  one  or  more 
elders  from  the  elders  not  asking  for  work  from  said  com- 
mittee. 

5.  The  stationing  committee  shall  liave  at  least  two  meet- 
ings before  its  work  is  completed. 

Appeal  from  Stationing  Committee's  Report. 

G.  If  any  of  the  preachers  thus  stationed,  or  any  who 
may  not  receive  an  appointment  are  dissatisfied,  they  shall 
have  a  right  to  appeal  to  the  annual  conference.  If  two- 
thirds  grant  the  appeal,  the  decisions  shall  be  final.  In  case 
of  an  appeal  from  the  decision  of  the  stationing  committee, 
no  preacher  stationed  by  said  committee  shall  be  changed, 
without  his  consent,  to  accommodate  the  preacher  making 
such  appeal.  In  no  case  shall  preachers  be  permitted  to 
exchange  charges,  except  in  the  manner  provided  for  in  para- 
gi-aph  10  of  Section  VII.,  of  Cliapter  VI.,  page  50. 

Report  of  t^tationing  Committee. 

7.  Tlie  report  of  the  stationing  committee  shall  be  read 
at  least  six  hours  before  the  adjournment  of  conference. 

Employment  of  Other  Preachers. 

8.  Should  there  not  be  enough  itinerants  to  supply  all 
the  circuits,  stations,  and  missions,  the  remaining  charges 
shall  be  supplied  by  the  stationing  committee  or  presiding 
elders. 

Pastoral  Charges. 

1).  A  circuit  or  station  shall  not  consist  of  any  specific 
number  of  members  or  appointments  ;  but  when  the  annual 
conference  judges  it  able  to  support  a  minister,  it  may  be 
so  recognized. 

10.  The  pastor  shall  have  full  control  of  his  pulpit,  and 
no  board  of  trustees  shall  permit  any  one  to  jireach  therein 
without  his  consent. 

Section  II. 

DUTIES    OF   itinerants. 

1.  It  is  the  duty  of  an  itinerant  preacher  to  take  the 
charge  assigned  him,  and  to  move  to  it  if  practicable. 


ITINERANCY  67 

2.  lie  shall  visit  regulai-ly  the  appointments  on  his 
charge,  preach  to  the  people,  and  hold  class-meetings  when- 
ever i>racticable,  and  whene\er  possible  organize  and  main- 
tain  Young  People's  Christian   societies. 

Rerision  of  Church  Hecorda. 

?>.  He,  in  connection  with  the  ofiicial  hoard,  shall  al 
least  one  month  before  annual  conference  revise  (he  church 
records.  The  duties  of  the  committee  on  revision  shall  be 
essentially  clerical,  and  the  name  of  no  member  shall  be 
erased  from  the  records  unless  the  disciplinary  steps  shall 
have  been  taken.  (See  chapter  IV,  Section  II.,  paragraph 
18,  page  20;  Chapter  IV.,  Section  III.,  page  20  ;  and  Chapter 
v.,  Section  I..  i)aragraph  3,  page  32.) 

Annual  Reorganization. 

4.  He,  in  connection  with  the  official  board, — shall,  at  the 
time  when  the  records  are  revised,  appoint  a  steward  or 
stewards,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  class.  He  shall  hold 
a  meeting  of  the  class  and  see  that  a  class-leader  is  elect«id. 

Fresidiny  at  Trials. 

5.  He  shall  sit  as  president  at  the  trial  of  members  and 
see  that  a  correct  record  of  the  same  is  kept. 

Reports. 
0.     He    shall    render    a    strict    account     (as    indicated    in 
Form  18,   page  197)    of  his  work  at  each   quarterly  confer- 
ence,   where   he    is    to    be    held    accountable    for    neglect    of 
duty. 

Circulation  of  Literature. 

7.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  use  every  laudable  effort  to 
circulate  our  books  and  Church  periodicals,  and  to  use  due 
diligence  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  Church  Printing 
Establishment. 

8.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  keep  a  list  of  the  names  of  all 
the  subscribers  to  our  Church  periodicals,  and  the  time 
of  subscribing,  at  the  different  appointments  on  his  charge, 
and  hand  it  over  to  his  successor  at  the  annual  conference, 
with  the  list  of  the  appointments.  He  shall  also  repoi't 
the  number  of  subscribers  to  our  periodicals  on  his  charge 
at  each  quarterly  conference,  and  be  examined  by  the  pre- 
siding elder  and  quarterly  conference  as   to  wlu^tlier  he  i)er- 


68  DISCIPLINE 

forms  his  duty  in  circulating  the  periodicals  of  the  Church 
among  the  people. 

Dismissal  of  Appointments. 

9.  A  preacher  is  not  permitted  to  dismiss  any  appoint- 
ment from  his  circuit  or  mission  without  the  consent  of  the 
quarterly  conference. 

Records. 

10.  He  shall  procure  a  suitable  book  for  a  church  rec- 
ord, in  which  he  shall  register  all  the  appointments  and 
classes  on  his  circuit,  station,  or  mission,  in  regular  order, 
with  the  name  of  each  member  properly  recorded  in  con- 
nection with  his  own  class.  He  shall  also  make  a  record 
of  all  baptisms,  marriages,  deaths,  and  proceedings  of 
church  trials,  with  the  names  of  all  the  parties  in  each  case. 
He  shall  report  this  record  with  the  proceedings  therein  to 
the  last  quarterly  conference  of  each  year  for  approval  or 
improvement.  This  book  shall  be  the  property  of  the 
quarterly  conference,  and  shall  be  in  addition  to  the  regular 
class-books  and  circuit-books. 

General  Collections. 

11.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  preacher  in  charge  of 
a  field  of  labor  to  collect  the  annual  amounts  apportioned  to 
his  charge  for  the  support  of  the  bishops  and  presiding 
elders,  and  also  all  other  conference  assessments.  And 
should  he  fail  to  collect  in  full  and  not  be  able  to  give  a 
satisfactory  reason  for  such  a  failure,  he  shall  be  account- 
able to  the  annual  conference. 

Missionary  Contrihutions. 

12.  He  shall  preach  missionary  sermons,  and  by  a  careful 
study  of  conditions  use  such  plans  as  shall  educate  his  people 
in  the  privilege  of  giving,  and  secure  the  largest  possible  con- 
tributions. He  shall  be  held  to  strict  account  for  the  faith- 
ful performance  of  his  duties.  The  publication  of  the  names 
of  the  donors  shall  be  left  to  the  option  of  each  annual  con- 
ference. 

Pastoral  Visiting. 

13.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  preacher  in  charge  of  a 
station  or  circuit  to  give  as  much  of  his  time  as  possible 
to  visiting  the  families  under  his  charge,  and  to  pay  strict 


ITINERANCY  69 

attention  to  the  young  members  under  his  care.  This 
private  work  of  visiting  from  house  to  house  and  exhort- 
ing the  people  is  founded  on  these  solemn  words  of  the 
apostle :  "I  kept  back  nothing  that  was  profitable  unto 
you,  but  have  shewed  you,  and  have  taught  you  publicly, 
and  from   house  to  house"    (Acts  20:20). 

Home  Training  of  Children. 

14.  Because  of  the  powerful  and  far-reaching  influence 
of  home  life  upon  the  young,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  each 
pastor  to  direct  the  attention  of  his  people  to  the  vital 
importance  of  family  government  and  Christian  nurture. 
He  shall  do  this  publicly  and  privately  by  directing  atten- 
tion to  books  and  periodicals  giving  helpful  instruction  upon 
this  subject,  arid  also  by  presenting  in  his  public  ministra- 
tions the  teaching  of  God's  Word  respecting  the  duty  of 
parents  to  train  up  their  children  in  the  nurture  and 
admonition    of   the   Lord. 

Evangelistic  Worh. 

15.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  preachers,  whether  local 
or  itinerant,  to  make  every  laudable  effort  to  enlarge  the 
borders  of  our  Zion,  to  spread  scriptural  holiness,  and  to 
report  to  their  respective  annual  conferences  the  number 
of  new  appointments  established. 

Section  III. 

PKEACHERS'    SALARIES. 

1.  The  salary  of  a  pastor  shall  be  such  amount  as  may 
be  agreed  upon  between  him  and  the  quarterly  conference 
of  the  field  of  labor  to  which  he  is  sent :  and  said  agree- 
ment shall  be  a  valid  contract  between  the  parties  there- 
to. When  a  charge  owns  a  parsonage,  or  rents  a  house 
for  the  pastor  to  live  in,  the  charge  shall  have  credit  for 
the  same  by  the  pastor  reporting  as  so  much  salary  the 
amount  the  parsonage  would  rent  for  or  the  amount  paid 
for  the  rented  house. 

2.  A  missionary  employed  by  the  Board  of  Missions 
shall  receive  such  salary  as  in  the  judgment  of  the  Board 
may  be  proi^er. 


70  DISCIPLINE 

Parsoudiic  aiiiJ  Moriitg  of  Preacher. 

3.  It  shall  l)e  the  duty  of  a  circuit  or  station,  when  a 
preacher  is  sent  to  it  by  an  annual  conference,  to  provide 
a  house  and  move  the  preacher  at  its  own  expense. 

Section   IV. 

illNISTERIAL   RELIEF    BUREAU. 

Object. 

1.  The  object  of  this  bureau  shall  l)e  to  i)rovid('  a  fund 
for  the  relief  of  superannuated  ministers  in  the  Church  of 
the  I7nited  Brethren  in  Christ,  and  their  widows. 

Source  of  Income. 

2.  Five  cents  per  member  shall  be  assessed  annually  by 
each  annual  conference. 

.'>.  The  Publishing  House  shall  pay  to  the  treasurer  of 
the  l)ureau  at  least  .$5,(KX)  annually. 

4.  Any  other  sums  obtained  by  special  offerings,  gifts, 
and  beciuests. 

Method  of  Relief. 

5.  Any  minister  given  a  superannuated  relation  by  his 
annual  conference,  because  of  age  or  other  disal)ility,  making 
such  relationship  advisable,  shall  receive  such  amounts  per 
annum  as  the  funds  in  hand  will  justify  the  Board  of  I>irec- 
tors  to  distribute  from  year  to  year. 

().  Widows  of  deceased  ministers  of  the  Church  of  the 
Fnited  Brethren  in  Christ,  while  they  remaia  loyal  to  the 
Church  aforesaid,  having  children  under  the  age  of  sixteen, 
shall  receive  a  like  pension  ;  otherwise  they  shall  receive  one- 
half  the  amount  paid  to  a  superannuated  minister,  as  the 
funds  in  hand  will  justify  from  year  to  year. 

J[oii(i(jenient. 

7.  T'lie  Board  of  Directors  of  tliis  bui'cau  shall  consist  of 
the  secretaries  of  the  (Jeneral  Boards  of  the  Church  and  the' 
Treasurer  of  the  (ieneral  Church. 

8.  The  Board  of  Directors  sliall  meet  at  least  semi- 
annually for  the  consideration  of  such  claims  as  shall  come 
before  them,  and  to  make  equitable  distribution  of  funds  in 
hand. 


ITINERANCY  71 

9.  The  treasurer  shall  hold  and  disburse  the  funds  of 
this  bureau  according  to  the  rules  and  order  of  the  Board  of 
Directors. 

10.  Each  annual  conference,  having  a  board  or  committee 
to  recommend  claimants  to  any  local  aid  fund  already  pro- 
vided or  who  shall  hereinafter  be  provided  for  such  purpose, 
shall  secure  and  forward  to  the  treasurer  of  this  bureau 
the  necessary  data  concerning  each  claimant  in  said  confer- 
ence. Any  conference  not  having  such  committee  shall  pro- 
vide one  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  make  and  forward  such 
report  at  or  near  the  time  of  the  meeting  of  their  annual 
conference. 

Rights  of  Auniial  Conferences. 

11.  Annual  conferences  now  having  preachers'  aid  soci- 
eties, or  ministerial  relief  provisions,  or  who  shall  hereafter 
l)rovide  for  such  relief  funds  for  their  own  claimants,  shall 
be  permitted  to  continue  such  relief  work,  as  well  as  share  in 
the  benefits  of  the  general  fund  herein  provided,  providing 
they  comply  with  the  requirements  herein  set  forth,  this 
general  fund  bet'oming  su])plementary  to  their  local  provi- 
sions, and  thus  encouraging  annual  conferences  in  continuing 
satisfactory  provisions  already  inaugurated,  as  well  as  to 
institute  such   provisions   in   any   or   all   annual   conferences 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Deaconesses. 
Section  I. 

DEACONESSES IN  LOCAL    CHURCHES. 

1.  When  any  sister  of  suitable  age,  health,  ability,  cul- 
ture, and  piety,  wishes  to  become  a  deaconess,  she  shall 
receive  a  recommendation  to  the  quarterly  conference  from 
the  class  where  she  holds  her  membership.  If,  after  ex- 
amination by  the  presiding  elder,  or  a  committee  appointed 
by  him,  she  is  approved  by  the  quarterly  conference,  she 
shall  receive  license  to  perform  the  duties  of  a  deaconess 
in  the  local  church,  said  license  subject  to  annual  renewal. 

2.  Her  duties  shall  be  to  teach  in  the  Sunday  school,  the 
kindergarten,  the  Young  People's  Christian  Endeavor  Union, 
and  in  the  houses  of  the  people  such  religious  and  otherwise 
useful  knowledge  as  may  be  needed ;  to  visit  from  house  to 
house,  reading,  singing,  teaching,  exhorting,  or  comforting 
the  people,  as  the  case  may  require ;  to  nurse,  or  otherwise 
minister  to  the  sick  and  needy  ;  to  solicit  funds  or  supplies, 
and  distribute  the  same ;  all  under  the  direction  of  the  pas- 
tor,  to  whom   she   shall   report   as   often    as   he  may   desire. 

3.  A  uniform  costume  shall  be  selected  by  a  committee 
appointed  by  the  bishops,  to  distinguish  and  protect  her. 

4.  The  deaconess  work  is  a  high  and  holy  calling  for 
sacrificial  service.  Each  local  church  must  provide  for  any 
necessary  expense  attending  this  work,  always,  however, 
encouraging  those  who  enter  upon  this  service  to  do  so 
for  the   love  of  Christ  and   humanity. 

5.  No  one  shall  be  required  to  make  a  perpetual  vow 
in  this  work,  but  any  one  may  retire  from  this  office  at 
pleasure,  after  giving  the  pastor  the  proper  notice. 

6.  The  deaconess  shall  be  a  member  of  the  quarterly 
conference  where  she  serves,  and  shall  be  responsible  to  it 
for  her  moral  and  official  character. 

7.  If  the  deaconess  is  deficient  in  any  of  the  common- 
school  studies,  she  must  pass  examination  in  these,  along 
Avith  the  prescribed  course  of  study.     Tlie  presiding  elder  and 

72 


DEACONESSES  73 

pastor  shall  conduct  the  examination  in  writing  annually,  or 
on  part  of  the  course  quarterly,  as  the  candidate  may  desire. 
8.  On  the  completion  of  the  course  of  study,  and  two 
years'  practical  work  under  the  direction  of  a  pastor,  or  an 
equivalent  course  in  an  approved  training  school,  or  liter- 
ary school  providing  such  courses,  the  deaconess  shall  be 
consecrated  to  this  service  by  a  bishop  or  presiding  elder, 
and  receive  a  permanent  license.  (See  Formula  for  Conse- 
cration of  Deaconess.) 

Note. — The  deaconess  desirous  to  become  a  nurse  should 
take  the  course  of  training  for  that  purpose  in  a  school  con- 
nected with  a  good  hospital. 

Section  II. 
deaconess'  homes. 

The  Board  of  Bishops  shall  constitute  a  board  of  man- 
agement of  deaconess'  homes,  and  when  a  majority  of  the 
pastors  of  our  Church  in  a  city  or  conference  wish  to 
establish  such  a  home,  they  must  first  submit  their  plans 
to  the  Board  of  Bishops  at  one  of  their  annual  meetings, 
and  if  the  matter  is  approved  by  the  board  it  shall  prepare 
rules  and  regulations  by  which  such  deaconess'  homes  shall 
be  founded  and  managed. 

Section  III. 

courses  of  study. 

Books  to  he  Studied.     First  Year. 

Synthetic  Bible  Studies — Graj' — Pentateuch  and  Historical 
Books. 

With  Christ  in  the  School  of  Prayer — Murray. 

Life  of  Christ— Stalker. 

United  Brethren  Handbook — Shuey, 

United  Brethren  Discipline. 

History  and  jNIethods  of  Deaconess  Work — Bishop  J.  f^ 
Mills. 

Books  to  he  Read — 

History  of  the  United  Brethren  Church — Berger,   l'ar\   1. 
How  to  Win  Men  to  Christ — Torry. 
Seven  Laws  of  Teaching — Gregory. 

Goiiiinit  to  Memorij — ■ 
Psalms  2,  23,  and  34. 


74  DISCIFLINE 

Second   Year. 

Synthetic  Bil)le  Studies,  New  Testaiiieut — Gray. 

Outline  Bible  Studies — Dunning. 

Revised  Normal  Lessons — Hurlbut. 

Quiet  Talks  on  Power — Cordon. 

Theological  Compend — Steel's  Binney. 

Life  of  St.  Paul— Stalker. 

Study  of  Child  Life — Mary  Washburn. 

Books  to  he  Read — 
The  Tongue  of  Fire — Arthur. 

United    Brethren    Church    History,    I'arts    2,    o,    and    4 — 
Berger. 

Bible  Geography — Ilurlbut. 
Manual  of  Nursing — Weeks. 

Commit  to   Memory — 

The  Beatitudes,   First  Corinthians,  Thirteenth  Chapter. 

GERMAN    C'OrnSE    OF    STUDY. 

■"BuevJier  juer  Gemei)ide-Diakoiiissen   t^tudicn-Kursus. 
fErfites  Jahr.) 

Die  deusche  Bibel.       (a)    Altes  Testament.  I  Mose — li-teu 
Chronika.       (b)    Neues  Testament,   Die   E'vangelien. 
Life  of   Christ— Stalker. 

Geschichte  der  weiblichen  Diakonie — Colder. 
Manual  of  Bible  Study— Blakie. 
Deaconesses — AVheeler. 
In  der  Schule  des  (jcbets — Murray. 

Bueeher  An<irraten  zu  Lesen. 
Des    Christen    Geheimniss    eines    verborgeuen    Lebens — H. 
W.   Smith. 

Life  of  Christ — Edersheim. 

How  to  Bring  Men  to  Christ — Torrey. 

fZiceites  dahr.) 

Die  deutsche  Bibel.  (a)  Altes  Testament.  Esi-a — Malaa- 
chi.  (b)  Neues  Testament,  Apostelgeschiehte  bis  Offb.  .Jo- 
hannes. 

Binney's  Compend. 

Ileilige  (zeschichte — Sulzl)erger. 

Calwer  Kirchengeschichte. 

Life  of  St.  Paul— Stalker. 


I)EACOi\E.S8ES.  <0 

Social   Law   of  Service — Ely. 
Die  Kraukenpfiege — Diiombliug'. 

*BuccIirr  Anpcratcn  zu  Lcscn. 

Manual  of  Xursing- — Weeks. 

Tongue  of  Fire — Arthur. 

Vereinigte  Brueder  Kirchengeschichte — Berger. 

Groesserer  Katechismus — Nast. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

Courses  of  Study. 
Section  I, 

Quarterly   Conference  Preachers. 
It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  person  receiving  a  quarterly 
conference  license  to  preach  to  pursue  the  following  course 
of  study  : 

Firat   Year. 
Books  to  he  Studied — 

Bible — E'xodus  and  Matthew. 

Ignited  Brethren  Handbook — Shuey. 

English    Grammar — Maxwell. 

Leading  Facts  of  American  History — Montgomery. 

Study  of  the  Four  Gospels — Hui-lbut. 

United  Brethren  Discipline. 

Hints  to  Lay  Preacheis — Myer. 

Quiet  Talks  on  I*rayer — ^Gordon. 

Books  to  he  Read — 
Life  of  Otterbein — Drury. 
Our  Heroes — Weeklej-  and  Font. 

Our    Foreign    Missionary    Enterprise — Mills,    Funk,    and 
Hough. 

Second  Year. 
Books  to  he  Studied — 

Bible,  I.  and  II.  Samuel  and  the  Gospel  of  St.  .Tohn. 
Composition,  Rhetoric — Brooks  and  Hubbard. 
Theological  Compend — Steel's  Binney. 
Confession  of  Faith — Weaver. 
Bible  History — Blaikie. 
The  Frontier — Ward  Piatt. 
The  How  and  Why  of  Missions — Brown. 

Books  to  he  Read — 

Life  of  Edwards — Davis. 

The  Social  Message  of  Our  Lord— Bishop  Bell. 

76 


COURSES    OF    STUDY  77 

Examinations. 

2.  The  presiding  elder,  or  a  committee  appointed  by  him, 
shall  hold  examinations  each  year  in  the  books  studied. 
A  quarterly-conference  licentiate  is  permitted  to  complete 
the  entire  course  in  one  year ;  but  should  he  fail  to  com- 
plete the  course  within  four  years  his  license  shall  not  be 
subject  to  renewal.  Fie  is  required  to  complete  the  quar- 
terly-conference course  of  study  l)efore  heing-  admitted  to 
the  annual   conference. 

Permanent  License. 

3.  Any  one  completing  the  above  course  of  study  and 
passing  satisfactory  examinations  in  the  same,  may  receive 
a  license  certifying  to  that  fact,  and  not  requiring  annual 
renewal,  so  long  as  his  teaching  is  conformable  to  the  doc- 
trines of  Christ,  as  held  by  our  Church,  and  his  deportment 
is  in   harmony  with   the  requirements   of  our  Discipline. 

Section  II. 

ANNUAL-COiSTFERENCE    PREACHERS. 

Examinations. 

1.  A  licentiate  preacher  is  to  be  examined  in  the  sub- 
joined course  of  study  by  the  annual  conference  to  which 
he  belongs,  and  shall  have  the  privilege  of  being  examined 
after  the  completion  of  one  or  more  studies  during  the  in- 
rerim  of  annual  conference,  and  the  examinations  on  the 
studies  shall  be  completed,  if  possible,  before  the  sitting  of 
the  conference.  The  examinations  shall  be  in  writing,  and 
graded  on  a  scale  of  100,  an  average  of  70  being   required. 

2.  To  assist  and  encourage  licentiates  in  their  studies 
and  also  for  the  purpose  of  securing  greater  uniformity  and 
efficiency  in  the  examinations,  the  following  plan  shall  be  pur- 
sued :  The  faculty  of  Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary  shall 
prepare  a  list  of  from  fifty  to  two  hundred  questions  on  each 
subject  of  study,  as  the  subject  may  require,  to  be  placed  in 
the  hands  of  the  examiners  only.  The  faculty  shall  likewise 
prepare  a  list  of  helpful  suggestions  on  each  subject  for  the 
student,  to  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  student,  at  the  be- 
ginning of  each  year  of  study.  The  examiners  on  course  of 
study  shall  select  without  the  knowledge  of  the  licentiate 
ten  or  more  of  these  questions  on  each  subject  for  exam- 
ination, the  examination  always  being  conducted  in  the 
presence  of  one  or  more  of  the  examiners.     Each  licentiate 


78  DISCIPLINE 

shall  also  present  a  written  sermon  in  connection  with  the 
examination  of  each  year.  If  any  licentiate  is  unable 
to  appear  before  his  examiners  he  shall  report  the  cause  of 
his  absence. 

First  Year. 
Books  to  he  studied — 

Encyclopetlic     Handbook     of     Bible,     Old     Text — (Ji-een 
Angus. 

The  Foreign  Missionary — Krown. 
Extemporaneous  Preaching — Buckley. 
United  Brethren  Church  History — Berger,  Part  1. 
Making  of  a  Sermon — I*attison. 

Com  in  it  to  Memory — 

The  Ten  Commandments,  Psalms  1  and  2.  and  the  Beati- 
tudes. 

Books  to  he  Read — 

With  Christ  in  the  School  of  I*rayer — Murray. 
The  Pastor  and  Modern  Missions — John  R.  Mott. 
Life  of  Glosslirenner — Drury. 

Second   Year. 
Books  to  he  Studied — 

Angus. 

Encyclopedic  Handbook  of  Bible,  New  Testament — (Jreen 

The  Preacher — Hoyt. 

United  Brethren  Church  History— ^Berger,  Parts  2,  l>,  and  4. 

Doctrine  of  the  Prophets — Kirkpatrick. 

Exegetical   Studies,   (lalatians  and   Plpistles  of   I.    and    H. 
Timothy  and  Titus. 

(Use  Cambridge  Bible  for  Schools  and  Colleges.) 

Commit  to  Memory — 

Isaiah,    fifty-third   chapter;    First    Corinthians,    thirteenth 
chapter,  and  Philemon. 

Books  to  he  Read — 

Life  of  Weaver — Thompson. 

Autobiography  of  Finney. 

Third   Yea  r. 
Books  to  he  Studied — 

The  Christian  Faith,  Pages  1-253 — Curtis. 
I'sychology — Hill. 


COURSES    OF    STUDY  79 

The  Christian   Pastor — (Jladden. 

Elements  of  Higher  Critit-ism — A.  C.  Zenos. 

Church  History — Fisher. 

Exegetical  Study,  Amos  and  I'liilippiaus, 

(Cambridge  Bible  for  Schools  and   Colleges.) 

(Jomtnit  to  Memory — 

Acts  17:22-31.      Psalm  'M. 

Books  to  he  Read- — 

Problems  of  the  Old  Testament — James  Orr. 

Social  Aspects  of  Christianity — Ely. 

The  Spiritual  Life — Murray. 

Fourth  Year. 
Books  to  he  Studied — 

The  Christian  Faith,  l*age  254  to  end — Curtis. 
Pedagogical  Bible  School — Ilaslitt. 
E'thics — McKenzie. 
New  Testament  Theology — Stevens. 
Apologetics — Kephart. 

Books  to  he  Read — 

Education  in  Religion  and  Morals — Coe. 

Christianity  and  the  Social  Crisis — Itauschenbush. 

Books  Recommended  for  the  Lihrary — 

Life  of  Miiller — ^A.  J.   Piersou. 

Life  of  A.  J.  Gordon — By  His  Son. 

Antiquities  of  the  Jews — Josephus. 

History  of  Christian   Doctrine — Sheldon. 

(Grounds  of  Theistic  and  Christian  Belief — Fisher. 

History  of  the  Reformation — Fisher. 

Historical  Geography  of  the  Holy  Land — Smith. 

Bible  Hermaneutics — Terry. 

I'olitical  Economy — ^Ely. 

(ireat  Missionaries  of  the  Church — Creegan  and  Goodnow. 

Note. — The  General  Conference  recommended  that  Doctor 
Schatf's  Christian  Catechism  be  used  by  pastors  as  a  text- 
book in  children's  classes. 


80  DISCIPLINE 

Section  III. 

GepwMan  Course  of  Study. 

Q uartcrly-Conference  Preach f r.s. 

FIRST  year. 

Doctrines. — The  presence  of  God,  the  personal i I. v  of  (iod. 
the  Trinity,  the  creation,  the  fall  of  man. 

Books. — The  Bible,  Discipline  and  the  United  Hrethren 
Church,  "Christlich-Apostolisches  Glaubens-Bekenntniss,"  by 
W.  Nast,  "Christologische  Betrachtnngen,"  by  W.  Nast. 

second  year. 

Doctrines. — Tiie  corruption  of  mankind,  repentance,  faith, 
justification,  regeneration,  witness  of  the  Spirit,  sanctifica- 
tion,   possibility  of  falling  from  grace. 

Books. — 'The  Bible,  Church  Discipline,  Hare's  "Recht- 
fertigung  durch  den  Glauben,"  D'Aubigne's  "Reformations- 
Geschichte,"   "Bekampfung  des  Unglaubens,"   by   Christlieb. 

Annual-Conference  Preachers. 
first  yeajr. 

Doctrines. — The  being  and  attributes  of  God,  the  Trinity, 
the  creation,  the  doctrine  of  the  angels,  the  doctrine  of 
mankind,  man  in  the  image  of  God,  the  fall  and  the  cor- 
ruption. 

Books. — The  Bible ;  Church  Discipline ;  Sulzberger's 
"Glaubenslehre" — First  Part ;  Luthardt's  "Apologetische 
Vortrage" — First  Part;  Dr.  Joseph  Beck's  "Grundriss  der 
Empirischen  Psychologie" ;  Kurtz's  Text-Book  on  Sacred 
History  ;  Berger's  History  of  the  United  Brethren  Church  ; 
Nippert's  "Praktische  Theologie" ;  Grammatik,  Heise's 
"Leitfaden — Die  Wortlehre" ;  written  sermon  on  the  Sab- 
bath. 

second  year. 

Doctrines. — Tlie  doctrines  of  Jesus  Christ,  doctrine  of 
the  personality  and  divinity  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  doctrine  of 
the  salvation  of  man,  conviction,  repentance,  faith,  justifi- 
cation, regeneration,  sanctification,  possibility  of  falling 
from  grace. 

Books. — The  Bible ;  Church  Discipline ;  Sulzberger's 
"Glaubenslehre" — Second  Part;  Luthardt's  "Apologetische 
Vortrage" — Second  Part ;  Weber's  "Einleitung  in  die  Heili- 
gen  Schriften";  "Das  Christliche  Heilsleben,"  by  F.  F. 
Paulus ;  Bishop  Hurst's  Church  History ;   Dittmar's  "Welt- 


COURSES    OF    STUDY  81 

Geschichte" — First    Part ;     Grammatik,     Heise's   "Leitfaden 
— Die  Satzlehre"  ;   written  sermon  on  repentance  and  faith, 

THIRD   YEAR. 

DoctrlncH. — The  sacraments — baptism  and  tlie  Lord's 
Supper,  tlie  immortality  of  the  soul,  the  resurrection  of  the 
body,  the  future  general  judgment,  everlasting  rewards, 
and   everlasting  punishment; 

Books. — The  Bible ;  Church  Discipline :  Sulzberger's 
"Glaubenslehve" — 'Third  Part ;  the  Immortality  of  the  Soul, 
l)y  F,  L.  Nagler ;  D'Aubigne's  "Reformations-Geschichte" ; 
H.  Dittmar's  "Welt  -  Geschichte"- — Second  Part ;  Heise's 
Grammatik — Wiederholung ;  W.  Sommer's  "Aufsatzlehre"  ; 
written  sermon  on  baptism. 

BOOKS    RECOMMENDED. 

.Tellinghaus's  '"Das  Yollige  Heil,"  and  C.  H.  Spurgeon's 
"Winke  fiir  Prediger,"  oder  23  Vorlesungen. 

Section  IV. 

COMPLETING    THE    COURSE. 

1.  Each  licentiate  is  expected  to  complete  the  prescribed 
course  within  four  years,  unless  good  reasons  exist  for 
delay. 

2.  Should  any  licentiate  fail  to  complete  the  course 
within  five  years,  he  may  be  referred  to  his  quarterly  con- 
ference. 

Seminary  Graduates. 

3.  Any  licentiate  who  has  completed  the  full  course  of 
study  in  Bonebrake  Tlieological  Seminary,  and  has  passed  the 
examinations  entitling  him  to  a  diploma  from  that  institu- 
tion, may  be  excused  from  examinations  "in  the  annual- 
conference  course  of  study. 


CHAPTER  X. 
Appeals. 
Section  I. 

FROM    THE    DECISION    OF   A    CLASS. 

Should  any  member  be  dissatisfied  with  tiie  decision 
of  a  church  or  class,  or  committee  of  a  church  or  class,  an 
appeal  may  be  had  to  the  next  quarterly  conference  by 
giving  notice  thereof  to  the  preacher  in  charge,  or  the 
secretary  of  the  trial,  within  thirty  days  after  said  trial, 
together  with  the  reasons  for  such  appeal ;  and  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  furnish  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence with  a  certified  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  the  trial 
and  of  the  notice  of  the  appeal. 

Section  II. 

FROM    TIIE    decision    OF    A    QUARTERLY    CONFERENCE. 

Any  member  of  a  quarterly  conference  dissatisfied  with 
the  decision  thereof,  may  appeal  to  the  ensuing  aiij^ual  con- 
ference, within  thirty  days  after  the  quarterly  conference. 
by  giving  notice  to  the  secretary,  in  writing,  of  his  inten- 
tion to  appeal,  together  with  his  reasons  for  so  doing;  and 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  furnish  a  certified 
copy  of  the  proceedings,  the  notification,  and  the  reasons 
assigned,  to  the  annual  conference. 

Section  III. 

COURT    OF   APPEALS. 

1.  Any  member  of  an  annual  conference,  when  dissatis- 
fied with  the  decision  thereof,  shall  have  a  right  to  appeal 
to  a  judicial  court,  which  shall  be  constituted  and  governed 
as  hereinafter  stated. 

2.  Each  annual  conference,  at  the  first  session  subsc- 
(luent  to  the  session  of  the  General  Conference,  shall  elect 
by  ballot  two  members  of  the  court,  who  shall  hold  office 
for  four  consecutive  j-ears. 

3.  In  case  of  an  appeal  from  an  annual  conference  in 
form  and  manner  hereinafter  set  forth,  the  presiding  bishop 
of  said  conference  shall,  at  such  time  and  place  as  he  may 
determine,  call   together  seven  of  the  members  of  the  court 


APPEALS  83 

niost  accessible  to  the  conference  from  which  the  appeal  is 
taken,  who,  thus  called  together,  shall  constitute  an  appellate 
court  to  hear  and  determine  said  appeal. 

4.  This  court  shall  organize  by  electing  a  chairman  and 
some  competent  person  as  secretary. 

T).  The  secretary  shall  receive  and  hold  all  ])apers  and 
i-pcords  i)ertaining  to  said  appeal,  subject  to  tlie  order  of 
the  chairman  ;  keep  a  true  record  of  all  proceedings  of  said 
court,  and  certify  the  decision  thereof  to  the  annual  con- 
ference from  which  the  appeal  is  taken,  and  also  to  the 
appellant. 

0.  Five  of  these  members  shall  be  necessary  to  consti- 
tute a  quorum,  and  four  must  agree  on  a  verdict.  The 
court  may  affirm  or  reverse  the  finding  and  decision  of  the 
annual  conference,  or  affirm  in  part  and  reverse  in  part; 
but  it  shall  not  reverse  the  same,  nor  remand  the  case  for 
a  new  trial  on  account  of  errors  plainly  not  affecting  the 
result. 

7.  The  decision  of  this  court  shall  in  all  cases  be  final, 
except  when  the  objections  are  taken  on  the  ground  that 
tlie  ])roceedings  were  irregular  in  the  application  'of  law, 
and  said  objections  are  entered  before  the  verdict  of  the 
court  is  announced.  In  case  of  appeal  from  the  court  under 
this  clause,  the  appellant  must  give  notice  within  thirty 
days  to  the  secretary  of  the  court,  who  shall  send  a  copy 
of  all  proceedings  in  said  case  to  the  General  Conference. 

8.  In  case  of  an  appeal  from  the  decision  of  an  annual 
conference,  the  appellant  must  give  written  notice  to  the 
secretary  of  said  conference  within  thirty  days  after  the 
adjournment  thereof,  setting  forth  both  his  intention  to 
ii])peal  and  the  reasons  for  so  doing. 

1).  On  receipt  of  a  notice  of  appeal,  the  secretary  of  the 
conference  shall  immediately  notify  the  presiding  bishop, 
and,  on  notice  from  said  bishop,  transmit  a  copy  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  conference  in  said  case  to  said  court  of 
appeal. 

10.  The  necessary  expenses  incurred  in  the  assembling  of 
said  court  shall  be  paid  by  the  appellant,  if  the  api>eal  is 
not  sustained ;  if  the  appeal  is  sustained,  the  annual  con- 
ference in  which  the  appeal  is  made  shall  pay  the  expenses, 
and  the  appellant  shall,  in  all  cases,  at  the  time  the  notice 
of  appeal  is  given,  deposit  with  the  secretary  of  said  an- 
nual conference  security  for  the  payment  of  said  expenses, 
in  an  amount  fixed  by  said  secretary. 


PART  III. 
Moral  Reforv\. 

CHAPTER  XL 

Special  Rules. 
Section  I. 

TEMPERANCE. 

Intoxicating  Di'inlcs. 

1.  The  distilling,  vending,  and  using  of  intoxicating 
drinks  as  a  beverage,  the  renting  and  leasing  of  property 
to  be  used  for  the  manufacture  or  sale  of  such  drinks,  also 
the  signing  of  petitions  for  granting  license,  or  the  enter- 
ing as  bondsmen  for  persons  engaged  in  the  traffic  in  in- 
toxicating drinks,  are  strictly  prohibited ;  and  should  any 
of  our  members  be  found  guilty  in  these  respects,  they  shall 
])e  dealt  with  as  in  the  case  of  other  immoralities ;  this 
rule,  however,  shall  not  be  so  construed  as  to  prevent  drug- 
gists and  others  from  the  vending  and  using  of  alcohol  for 
medicinal  or  mechanical  purposes. 

Temperance  Com)nission. 

2.  There  shall  be  a  permanent  temperance  commission, 
consisting  of  one  minister  and  one  layman  from  each  bishop's 
district,  to  be  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Bishops.  Tlie  du- 
ties of  this  commission  shall  be :  To  keep  in  close  touch 
with  similar  organizations  in  other  churches  ;  to  appoint  or 
to  authorize  the  appointment  of  delegates  to  local  or  na- 
tional bodies ;  to  collect  funds  for  the  expenses  of  corre- 
spondence and  suitable  literature. 

Temperance  Day. 

3.  The  last  Sabbath  in  November  of  each  year  shall  be 
observed  as  Temperance  Day. 

Tohacco. 

4.  We  believe  that  the  use  of  tobacco  in  any  form  is 
injurious  to  body,  mind,  and  moral  nature,  and  a  needless 
waste  of  money  which  could  and  should  lie  otherwise  applied  ; 

84 


]MOKAL    REFORM  85 

and   we  kindly  advise  all   our  members   to  abstain   from   its 
use. 

Section  II. 

SABBATH  OBSERVANCE. 

The  Sabbath  day  being  ordained  of  God  as  a  day  of 
physical  rest  and  of  spiritual  improvement,  and  as  the 
perpetuity  of  our  civil  and  religious  institutions  demands 
its  proper  observance,  therefore,  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  in  view  of  the  growing  tendency,  as  seen 
in  the  open  saloon,  the  beer-garden,  the  base-ball  games,  the 
social  dance,  excursion  trains,  unnecessary  labor,  the  increas- 
ingly prevalent  apathy  of  the  masses  to  an  attendance  upon 
the  public  service  of  the  church,  and  a  disregard  of  God's 
command  to  "remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy," 
earnestly  counsels  all  its  members  to  abstain  from  every- 
thing that  does  not  contribute  in  the  highest  degree  to  their 
spiritual  gi'owth  ;  and  we  advise  our  ministers  and  general 
officers  of  the  Church  to  be  examples  to  the  flock  over  which 
the  Holy  Ghost  hath  made  them  overseers. 

Section  III. 

SLAVERY. 

All  slavery,  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  is  totally  pro- 
hibited, and  shall  in  no  way  be  tolerated  in  our  Church.^ 

Section  IV. 
secret  combinations. 

1.  A  secret  combination  is  a  secret  league  or  confeder- 
ation of  persons  holding  principles  and  laws  at  variance 
with  the  Word  of  God  and  injurious  to  Christian  character, 
as  evidenced  in  individual  life,  and  infringing  upon  the  nat- 
ural, social,  political,  or  religious  rights  of  those  outside  its 
pale. 

2.  Any  member  or  minister  of  onr  Church  found  in  con- 
nec^tion  with  such  combination  shall  bo  dealt  with  as  in 
other  cases  of  disobedience  to  the  ordei-  and  disciiilino  of 
the  Church;  in  case  of  members,  as  found  in  Chapter  IV., 
Section  III.,  page  27,  and  in  case  of  ministers,  as  found  in 
Chapter  VI.,  Section  IX.,  page  GO. 

^This  law.  in  its  essential  character,  was  adopted  by  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  in  1821    Bishops  Newcomer  and  Zeller  presiding. 


86  UISCll'LIJNE 

Section  V. 

OATHS. 

Wo  helievo  liiat  the  mode  of  testifying'  to  the  truth  when 
required  so  to  do  in  a  legal  form,  by  way  of  affirmation,  is 
on  us  solemnly,  conscientiously,  and  fully  binding,  before 
(^od,  to  tell  the  tnith,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the 
truth. 

Section  VI. 

WAR. 

We  most  i)()sitively  record  our  disapproval  of  enga.uing  in 
voluntary  national  aggressive  warfare ;  yet  we  recognize  the 
rightful  authority  of  the  civil  government,  and  hold  it  respon- 
sible for  the  preservation  and  defense  of  our  national  com- 
pact, against  ti-eason  or  invasion  by  any  belligerent  force, 
and  we  believe  it  to  be  entirely  consistent  with  the  spirit 
of  Christianity  to  bear  arms  when  called  upon  to  do  so  by 
the  i)roperly-constituted  authorities  of  our  Government  for 
its  preservation  and  defense. 

Section  VII. 

THE    FAMILY. 

1.  We  believe  that  the  marriage  relation  is  of  divine 
authority ;  that  it  is  the  mutual  union  of  one  man  and 
one  woman  ;  that  the  obligation  is  most  sacred,  and  morally 
binding  so  long  as  both  shall  live,  and  therefore  cannot  Ijc 
dissolved  at  will,  nor  should  it  be  by  a  decree  of  a  civil 
tribunal,  except  on  evidence  that  one  party  is  guilty  of 
adultery. 

2.  On  positive  evidence  of  such  guilt  the  innocent  parry 
is  free  from  further  matrimonial  obligations  and  jnstly  en- 
titled to  a  divorce  and  to  marry  again,  but  the  guilty  party 
has  no  such  right. 

.*>.  We  deny  the  right  of  marriage  to  both  ]virties  who 
have  been  divorced  for  other  causes  than  adultery. 

4.  Any  person  sustaining  a  marriage  relation  contra i-y 
to  that  above  recognized  as  justifiable  shall  be  ineligible  to 
the  office  of  the  ministry   of  this  Church. 

f).  No  minister  of  this  Church  shall  knowingly  solemnize 
the  marriage  of  two  persons,  either  of  whom  has  been 
divorced  for  othei-  than  the  aI)ove  justifiable  cause,  and  shall 
be  amenable  to  the  Church  for  disobedience  to  the  order 
thereof. 


PART  IV. 

Property. 

chapter  xii. 

ClIUKCll-HOUSES    AND    PARSONAGES. 

Electing  Trustees. 

1.  Whenever  it  is  contemplatofl  to  purcliasc  or  l)nil(l  a 
church-house  or  parsona,2;e,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  an.\ 
member  to  make  it  known  to  the  quarterly  conference  of 
the  circuit  or  station  to  which  he  belongs.  The  quarterly 
conference  shall  then  elect  a  board  of  trustees  of  not  less 
than  three  persons,  or  as  the  law  of  the  State  may  require ; 
provided,  however,  that  at  least  a  majority  of  said  board 
shall  be  members  of  the  Church  of  the  ITnited  Brethren  in 
('hrist.  The  trustees  shall  hold  their  office  during  the  pleas- 
ure of  the  quarterly  conference. 

Vacancies. 

2.  When  vacancies  occur  in  a  board  of  trustees  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  quarterly  conference  to  elect  suitable 
])ersons  to  fill  such  vacancies,  and  the  secretary  of  the  board 
of  trustees  shall  see  that  the  records  of  the  county  wherein 
such  board  may  reside  shall  correspond  with  the  facts  in  the 
case  according  as  the  law  of  the  State  may  require,  after 
such  vacancies   have  been  filled. 

Duties   of   Trustees. 

3.  The  trustees  shall  meet  annually,  and  shall  organize, 
if  a  new,  or  reorganize  if  an  old  board,  by  electing  from  their 
number  the  following  officers ;  namely,  a  president,  secretary, 
and  treasurer.  Special  meetings  may  be  called  by  the  presi- 
dent or  by  a   majority  of  the  members  of  the  board. 

4.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  correct  recoi-d  of  all  busi- 
ness transactions  of  the  board  in  a  book  provided  for  that 
])urpose,  which  shall  at  all  times  be  o])en  for  the  inspection 
of  the  official  board  and  the  quarterly  conference,  as  well 
as  of   the  board   of  trustees. 

87 


88  DISCIPLINE 

5.  The  treasurer  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  board  for 
church-house,  cemetery,  or  parsonage  purposes,  and  pay 
out  the  same  under  the  direction  of  the  board,  on  regularly- 
drawn  orders  signed  by  the  president  and  secretary,  and 
report  the  financial  condition  at  their  several  meetings,  and 
to  the  quarterly  conference  at  least  once  each  year. 

6.  No  board  of  trustees  shall  begin  the  building  of  a 
church-house  or  parsonage  without  first  submitting  their 
plans  and  estimates  of  lot,  or  lots,  and  building,  to  the 
official  board  or  quarterly  conference  for  consideration, 
approval,  and  directions.  Nor  shall  they  proceed  to  buy 
or  build  without  first  procuring  an  incorporation  of  their 
board,  such  as  the  State  retjuires,  nor  without  securing 
and  recording  a  warranty  deed,  the  blank  form  prepared  by 
the  Church  Erection  Society,  to  themselves  and  their  success- 
ors in  oftice  for  the  real  estate  which  they  purchase,  nor  until 
they  have  the  necessary  means  either  in  hand  or  suffi- 
ciently assured,  thus  securing  harmony  of  action  and  avoid- 
ing the  encumbering  of  our  houses  of  worship  and  par- 
sonages with  embarrassing  debts. 

7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  trustees  to  take 
charge  of  all  the  church  property,  employ  janitors,  fur- 
nish light  and  fuel,  keep  the  property  insured,  and  look  care- 
fully after  other  wants  from  time  to  time. 

8.  For  the  raising  of  funds  for  extraordinary  expenses, 
such  as  building  churches,  or  making  extensive  repairs,  or 
paying  large  debts,  the  trustees  may  devise  such  measures 
as  may  be  deemed  best,  and  report  the  same  to  the  official 
board  or  quarterly  conference  for  approval  and  cooperation. 

^ale  and  Rent  of  Church-Houses  and  Parsonages. 

9.  The  quarterly  conference  may  authorize  the  board  of 
trustees  to  lease,  rent,  or  sell  church  or  parsonage  prop- 
erty within  its  jurisdiction ;  provided,  however,  that  said 
proceeds  shall  be  used  in  purchasing,  repairing,  or  build- 
ing new  church  or  parsonage  property  within  its  bounds, 
except  the  interest  or  rents  accruing  from  parsonage  prop- 
erty, which  may  be  applied  to  pay  rent  on  the  house  occu- 
])ied  by  the  pastor.  I*rovided  further,  that  no  church-house 
shall  be  sold  that  would  result  in  the  discontinuation  or 
disorganization  of  a  class,  without  the  consent  of  the  an- 
nual conference  within  the  bounds  of  which  said  property 
is  located. 


CnURCH-IIOUSES    AXD    PAHSOXAGES  89 

Conditions  of  Mortgages  and  Liens. 

10.  No  board  of  trustees  shall  have  power  to  mortgage 
or  to  place  a  lien  of  any  kind  on  real  estate  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  except  for  the  j^urchase  of  such  real 
estate,  or  the  erection  of  necessary  buildings,  or  for  repair- 
ing,  or  otherwise  improving"  the  same. 

Abandoned  Church -Ho  uses. 

11.  A^-lieu  a  house  of  worship  outside  of  the  jurisdiction 
of  any  quarterly  conference  ceases  to  be  used  by  our  own 
people  for  preaching  or  other  religious  pui^poses,  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  presiding  elder  of  the  district  in  which 
such  house  is  located  to  report  to  the  annual  conference, 
which  body  shall  authorize  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
conference  board  of  the  Church  Erection  Society  to  rent, 
lease,  or  sell  such  house  of  worship,  as  they  deem  advisable, 
and  report  their  proceeding  to  the  annual  conference,  which 
body  shall  have  power  to  use  the  proceeds  to  pay  debts  on 
other  houses  of  worship,  build  new  houses,  or  turn  the  money 
into  the  funds  of  the  Church  Erection  Society,  as  may  seem 
proper,  at  its  oavu  discretion ;  provided,  that  in  no  case  shall 
a  church-house  and  its  premises  be  sold  without  the  consent 
of  the  'annual  conference  within  whose  bounds  it  is  located. 
In  a  conference  in  which  there  is  no  branch  board  of  direc- 
tors, the  conference  shall  have  power  to  appoint  a  board  of 
trustees  to  take  charge  of  the  abandoned  property. 

Aha-ndoned  Parsonages. 

12.  Should  any  parsonage  be  permanently  abandoned  as 
such,  the  presiding  elder  of  the  district  in  which  such  par- 
sonage is  located  shall  report  the  same  to  the  annual  con- 
ference, which  body  shall  have  power  to  appoint  a  board  of 
trustees,  who  shall  rent  or  sell  such  parsonage,  and  pay  over 
the  proceeds  to  the  annual  conference,  which  body  shall 
(vxpeud  the  same  in  paying  debts  on  other  parsonages,  or  in 
building  new  ones   within   its   borders. 

Transfer  of  Churches. 

13.  When  a  lot  is  deeded  to  an  English  United  Breth- 
ren church,  or  to  a  German  United  Brethren  church,  and 
one  or  the  other  ceases  to  exist  in  an  organized  form,  by 
deaths,  removals,  expulsions,  or  otherwij^e,  or  when  a 
majority    of    the    members    of    said    church    shall    de<-ide    to 


00  DISCIPLINE 

cliang'e  either  from  the  German  to  the  Englisli.  or  vice 
versa,  then  the  church  remaining  shall  have  full  right  to 
make  such  improvements  or  repairs  on  said  lot  as  may 
be  desiralile  for  the  p^irposes  of  worship,  and  shall  be  en- 
titled to  peaceful  possession. 

Division  of  Interest. 

14.  In  cases  where  fields  of  labor  having  parsonages 
upon  them  are  divided,  the  disposition  of  said  parsonages 
shall  be  submitted  to  a  board  of  arbiters,  consisting  of 
three  members  of  the  Church,  one  to  be  chosen  by  each 
quarterly  conference,  and  the  third  by  these  two,  to  whom 
the  whole  matter  shall  be  referred,  their  decision  of  the 
case  being  final.  In  cases  where  more  than  two  quarterly 
conferences  are  interested,  the  same  plan  shall  be  pursued. 
In  case  this  plan  fail,  the  quarterly  conferences  shall  instruct 
the  presiding  elder  to  appoint  a  committee  of  three  persons, 
all  members  of  our  Church,  but  none  of  them  residents  or 
members  of  either  of  the  fields  affected,  and  their  decision 
shall  be  final. 

Real  Estate. 

15.  Other  real  estate  held  for  church  or  parsonage  pur- 
poses sliall  be  subject  to  the  same  regulations  as  houses  of 
worship  and  parsonages. 

Conference  or  District  Property. 
10.  Where  there  is  no  provision  by  the  laws  of  the 
State  for  the  incorporation  of  religious  organizations,  and 
there  is  property  that  belongs  to  a  district  or  conference, 
such  as  parsonages  for  the  use  of  bishops  or  presiding 
elders,  said  conference  or  the  conferences  of  said  district 
may  e^lect  a  board  of  trustees,  who  shall  be  members  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  residing  within  the 
district  or  conference,  who  shall  have  the  right  to  receive 
deeds  for  such  property  and  power  to  least,  rent,  or  sell  the 
same. 

17.  Any  quarterly  conference  that  has  appointed  trus- 
tees for  a  bishop's  parsonage  shall  fill  all  vacancies  under 
the  direction  of  the  cooperating  conferences. 

Church  Plans. 

18.  The  Church  Erection  Society  shall  provide  plans  and 
specifications  for  church-houses,  which  shall  be  supplied  at 
cost  to  trustees  who  apply. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 
Board  of  Church  Trustees. 

Section  1.  Be  it  ordained  'by  the  General  Conference 
of  the  Ghureh  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  Tliat  there 
shall  be  an  incorporated  Board  of  Tiaistees  for  the  Church 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  consisting  of  twelve  mem- 
bers, a  majority  of  whom  shall  be  citizens  of  Ohio,  elected 
by  the  General  Conference  of  said  Church  for  a  term  of  four 
years,  or  until  their  successors  are  elected.  Said  board  shall 
l)e  known  as  "The  Trustees  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,"  and  its  headquarters  sha'll  be  in  Dayton.  Ohio. 

Sec.  2.  The  organization  of  this  board  shall  be  effected 
at  its  first  regular  meeting  of  each  quadrennium  by  the 
election  of  a  president  and  secretary,  and  it  shall  thereafter 
reorganize  annually.  The  General  Church  Treasurer  shall 
be  the  treasurer  of  this  body.  It  shall  meet  on  the  call  of 
the  president  annually,  or  whenever  the  president  and  secre- 
tary may  determine.  The  board  may  elect  an  executive 
committee  with  authority  to  transact  any  necessary  business 
in  the  interim  of  the  board's  sessions,  subject  to  the  approval 
of  the  board. 

Sec.  8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  to  receive, 
hold  in  trust,  or  apply,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Church  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  any  and  all  funds,  dona- 
tions, grants,  and  bequests  that  may  be  given,  directed, 
or  conveyed  to  such  board  or  to  the  United  Brethren  Church 
as  such,  for  any  benevolent  pui'pose  whatever.  Ail  such 
funds  and  the  proceeds  thereof  shall  be  applied  in  harmony 
with  the  si)ecified  purpose  of  the  donors,  or,  in  the  absence 
of  such  specifications,  as  the  board  may  determine. 

Sec.  4.  The  board  shall  report  quadrennially  to  the 
General  Conference  of  said  Church  all  funds  and  property 
received  for  the  Church  and  the  disposition  made  of  the 
same,  and  shall  be  answerable  to,  and  under  the  direction 
of  said  (ifeneral  Conference. 


91 


PART  V. 

Departments  for  Christian  Instruction  and  • 

Training. 
chapter  xiv. 

Depaktment  of  Sunday  vSctiool,   Brotiierhoou,  and 
Young  People's  Work. 

In  order  to  secure  a  general  and  systematic  study  of  the 
Bible,  the  development  of  the  varions  forms  of  men's  work 
in  our  Church,  and  the  training  of  our  young  people  for  the 
l^est  senace,  Ave  ordain  the  following  constitution  for  the 
department  to  be  known  as  the  Department  of  Sunday 
School,  Brotherhood,  and  Young  People's  ^York,  which  de- 
partment shall  be  tlie  legal  successor  of  what  was  heretofore 
known  as  the  (General  Sunday  School  Board,  the  Men's 
Movement,  and  Young  People's  Christian  Endeavor  Union. 

Section   I. 

constitution    of    the    general    liOARD. 

Article  I. 

BOARD   OF   CONTROL. 

The  department  of  Sunday  School,  Brotherhood,  and 
Young  People's  Work  shall  be  under  the  direction  of  a  Gen- 
eral Board  of  Control. 

Article  IT. 
object. 
The  ()l)ject   of  tliis   l)oard   shall   be   to   promote   the  organ- 
ization,   growth,    and    efficiency    of    Sunday    schools,    brother- 
lioods,   and    Young    I'copU^'s  soci(>ti('s,   and   liold   such   con\'en- 
tions  ))s  may  he  dccuH'd   wise  nud   u<'cessary. 

Article   III. 
me]\ibers  of  the  board. 
The  board  shall  be  com])Osed  of  nine  elected  members,  at 
least  fi\-e  of  whom  shall  be  laymen,  and  the  general  secretary, 

92 


GExNEHAL  IJOAliD  93 

who  shall  he  elected  hy  the  General  Coiifereiu-(>  for  four 
years,  together  with  the  editors  of  the  SiiiHlay-school  litera- 
ture, the  editor  of  the  Watchword,  and  tlic  (Jcncrnl  rul)lisli- 
ing-  Agent.  The  bishops  shall  he  cr  officio  members  of  this 
board.      A  majority  of  the  l)oard  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

Article  n  . 

()FK1('I:KS    AAI)    .MKKTI.\(iS. 

1.  This  board  shall  be  convened  by  the  general  secretary 
within  thirty  days  after  election,  and  shall  be  organized  by 
electing  from  their  own  numl)er  a  president  and  recording 
secretary. 

2.  The  General  Treasurer  of  the  Church  shall  be  the 
treasurer  of  this  board. 

3.  Tlie  board  shall  meet  annually  in  the  month  of  April 
or  May  on  such  day  or  days  as  it  may  from  time  to  time 
determine;  other  meetings  may  be  held  upon  the  call  of 
the  secretary. 

Article  V. 

ADDITIONAL   SECUETAKIE.S. 

For  the  advancement  of  each  of  the  departments  recog- 
nized under  this  board,  said  board  sliall  ha\e  power  to  em- 
l)loy  additional  sexretaries. 

Article   VI. 

EXECl'TIVE    COMMITTEE. 

The  board  shall  elect  five  from  its  own  number  as  an 
executive  committee  who  shall  act  in  the  interim  of  tiie 
board  meetings. 

Article   VII. 

VACANCIES. 

The  board  shall  be  empowered  to  fill  vacancies  occurring 
during  the  (luadrenniriui. 

Article   Yin. 

FUNDS. 

1.  The  sources  of  funds  for  this  board  shall  be  an  as.><efis- 
ment  of  three  cents  per  member  levied  upon  the  membership 
of  the  Church  ;  the  offering  from  the  observance  of  Children's 
Day;  an  offering  from  each  organized  men's  Kible  class  and 
brotherhood  taken  during  the  month  of  January  :  a  fifty-cent 
fee  from  each  Young  People's  society:  a  twenry-fiv(>-cent  fee 


94  DISCIPLINE 

from  each  Junior  society,  and  the  anniversary  offering  taken 
on  Young  People's  Day. 

2.  The  funds  of  this  hoard  shall  be  used  to  assist  in 
maintaining  Sunday  schools  in  home  and  foreign  fields,  in 
organizing  and  promoting  the  best  interests  of  Bible  classes, 
brotherhoods,  leagues,  etc.,  and  for  defraying  the  legitimate 
expenses  of  the  board  ;  provided  that  the  jiriucipal  of  all  per- 
manent funds  shall  be  carefully  invested  and  only  the  in- 
come therefrom  be  expended. 

3.  All  applications  for  literature  for  Sunday  schools  shall 
be  made  through  the  general  secretary,  the  granting  of 
which  request  shall  be  subject  to  regulations  prescribed  by 
the  board  or  executive  committee.  Appropriations  shall  be 
made  only  to  Sunday  schools  conducted  in  harmony  with  the 
disciplinary  provisions  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  or 
to  schools  giving  satisfactory  evidence  that  they  will  soon 
become  such. 

Article  IX. 

niTTlES  OF  OFFICERS. 

1.  The  president  shall  preside  at  the  meetings  of  the 
board,  lie  shall  also  call  special  meetings  of  the  board  when 
in  his  judgment  and  that  of  the  executive  committee,  it  is 
necessary. 

2.  The  recording  secretary  shall  keep  an  accurate  record 
of  the  business  transactions  of  the  board  in  a  book  provided 
for  that  purpose,  and  under  direction  of  the  president  shall 
issue  the  call  for  the  regular  and  special  sessions  of  the 
board. 

3.  The  General  Church  Treasurer  shall  hold  in  trust  the 
funds  of  the  board  and  disburse  the  same  on  orders  properly 
signed  by  the  president  of  the  board  and  the  general  secre- 
tary. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  general  secretary,  when  at 
all  practicable,  to  visit  the  conferences  in  the  interests  of 
the  work  ol  the  hoard,  lie  shall  endeavor  to  stimulate  in- 
terest in  Sunday  schools  by  presenting  the  most  approved 
methods  of  work.  He  shall  urge  the  organization  and  main- 
tenance of  all  regularly-recognized  departments,  such  as  the 
Cradle  Roll,  Home  Department,  etc.  He  shall  organize 
teacher-training  classes  and  urge  the  observance  of  Children's 
Day.  He  shall  aid  in  developing  mission  study  and  Chris- 
tian benevolences  in  all  our  schools,  brotherhoods,  and  Young 


GENERAL  BOARD  95 

People's  societies.  He  shall  give  special  attention  to  organ- 
ization and  development  of  men's  Bible  classes,  brotherhoods, 
and  Young  People's  societies.  He  shall  keep  a  record  of  all 
bequests  and  legacies,  notes,  and  other  valuable  papers  com- 
ing into  his  possession  and  turn  the  same  over  to  the  Gen- 
eral Church  Treasurer  for  safe  deposit.  He  shall  prepare 
and  publish  an  annual  report  oi  the  work  of  the  department ; 
also  a  quadrennial  report  for  the  General  Conference.  He 
sliall  perform  such  other  duties  as  the  board  may  direct. 

Section  II, 

ANNUAL    CONFERENCE    RELATIONS    AND   DUTIES. 

1.  Each  annual  conference  shall  elect  annually  a  confer- 
ence board,  consisting  of  five  members.  This  board  shall 
meet  immediately  on  the  adjournment  of  the  annual  confer- 
ence and  organize  by  electing  a  president,  secretary,  and 
treasurer.     The  duties  of  this  board  shall  be  : 

a.  To  stimulate  the  development  of  the  Sunday  school, 
brotherhood,  and  Young  People's  work  within  the  bounds  of 
the  conference. 

I).  The  secretary  shall  collect  and  preserve  the  statistics 
of  the  schools,  brotherhoods,  and  Y'oung  People's  societies  of 
the  conference  and  transmit  a  copy  thereof  to  the  General 
Secretary  of  the  General  Board,  and  in  conjunction  with  the 
officers  of  the  branch  union  of  the  Young  People's  society 
provide  for  such  conventions  as  may  be  deemed  necessary, 

c.  It  shall  represent  the  interests  of  this  department  be- 
fore the  annual  conference  and  hold  an  anniversary  service 
at  each  annual  conference  session. 

2.  The  annual  conference  may  levy  an  assessment  on  the 
charges  not  to  exceed  two  cents  per  member,  for  the  use  of 
its  conference  board,  said  assessments  to  be  additional  to  the 
regular  assessment  levied  by  the  regular  board. 

Pastor's  Relations. 

.3.  The  pastor  shall  have  general  supervision  over  the 
Sunday  schools,  brotherhoods,  and  Y'^oung  People's  societies 
of  his  charge,  and  shall  be  present  at  their  sessions  as  often 
as  practicable.  He  shall  be  present  and  preside  at  the  re- 
organization of  his  Sunday  schools.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to 
organize  a  Sunday  school  at  each  appointment  on  his  charge 
where  there  is  not  one  already.  He  shall  encourage  the  or- 
ganization of  Y'oung  People's  societies  and  brotherhoods  on 


9G  DISCIPLINE 

liis  charge  where  at  all  practicable.  He  shall  furnish  snch 
statistics  of  schools,  brotherhoods,  and  Young  People's  soci- 
eties as  are  required  by  the  annual  conference  chart,  and 
such  other  statistical  information  as  may  be  requested  l)y 
the  authorized  heads  of  the  departments.  It  shall  also  hi' 
his  duty  to  see  that  Children's  Day  and  Young  People's  An- 
niversary Day  are  observed  and  that  liberal  offerings  are 
taken  upon  these  days  and  sent  to  the  general  secretary. 
These  offerings  shall  be  in  addition  to  the  conference  assess- 
ment for  the  General  Board. 

Section  III. 

.SUNDAY-SCHOOL    WORK. 

Orgamzation  of  ^'civ  Sunday  Schools. 
In  organizing  a  new  school  the  pastor  shall  pursue  such 
plan  as  he  may  think  advisable  to  secure  a  superintendent, 
secretary,  and  treasurer.  It  is  desirable  that,  if  possible, 
such  officers  should  be  active  Christians  and  members  of  our 
Church.  They  shall  hold  office  for  one  year,  and  shall  per- 
form the  duties  which  usuaWy  pertain  to  such  offices. 

CONSTITUTION    FOR    A    SUNDAY    SCHOOL. 

It  is  recommended  that  all  the  Sunday  schools  adopt  the 
following  constitution  ;  provided,  that  any  school  may  have 
the  privilege  of  enacting  such  by-laws  for  its  better  regula- 
tion  as  will   not   conflict  with   the  constitution. 

Article  I. 
Tliis  school  shall  be  known  as  the  United  Brethren  Sunday 
School  of  . 

Article  II. 
The  object  of  the  school  shall  be  to  gather  in  all  people 
for  the  study  of  the  Bible  and  for  the  study  of  the  various 
activities  of  the  church,  to  secure  the  salvation  of  souls, 
to  train  for  Christian  service  and  to  promote  the  worship  of 
God. 

Article  III. 

1.     The   officers  shall  be  the  pastor,   a   superintendent,   a 

secretary,  a  treasurer,  a  librarian,  and,  when  desired  by  the 

school,  a  chorister  and  organist!      The  duties  of  these  officers 

shall  be  such  as  usually  pertain  to  such  offices ;  and  when- 


SUNDAY-SCHOOL    WOUK  97 

ever  it  is  deemed  necessary  for  the  interests  of  the  school, 
an  assistant  may  l)e  elected  in  each  of  these  offices  ;  all  of 
whom  shall  be  subject  in  their  official  duties  to  their  superior 
officers,  except  in  the  absence  of  such  superiors. 

2.  There  shall  be  an  executive  committee  of  tln'ci-  or  livi'. 
cliosen  by  the  school,  a  majority  of  whom  slnill   he  mcinbt'rs 

of   the   Ignited   Brethren    Church   at   .      Tlie    pastor 

and  superintendent  shall  alwo  be  members  v.r  officio.  It 
shall  be  the  duty  of  this  committee  to  select  and  order  a 
suitable  amount  of  our  own  literature  and  hcli)s  for  the 
school  from  time  to  time,  and  look  after  the  genoi-al  interests 
of  the  school. 

3.  The  executive  committee,  in  conjunction  with  tli(> 
teachers  of  school.  ma,y  at  least  one  week  prior  to  the  time 
of  the  annual  election,  nominate  suitable  persons  as  candi- 
dates for  each  of  the  various  offices  of  the  school ;  provided 
that,  on  stations,  if  desirable  to  the  pastor,  the  election  of 
the  sui)erintendent  may  be  by  the  official  board. 

4.  All  elections  in  schools  shall  be  by  ballot,  only  en- 
rolled members  over  twelve  years  of  age  voting. 

5.  The  superintendent,  when  at  all  possible,  shall  be  a 
member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  in  good  and  regular 
standing.  He,  with  the  approval  of  the  pastor,  shall 
appoint  the  teachers ;  provided,  however,  that  regularly- 
organized  atlult  classes  may  select  their  teachers  subject  to 
the  approval  of  the  superintendent  and  pastor. 

6.  The  pastor  of  the  church  shall  preside  at  each  annual 
election,  whenever  practicable,  and  the  superintendent  or 
pastor   shall   preside  at   all   special   elections. 

Article  IV. 

Vacancies  for  unexpired  terms  shall  be  filled  in  the  same 
manner  and  form  as  above  provided  for  annual  reorganiza- 
tion. 

Article  V. 

MISSIONS    IN   THE   SUNDAY   SCHOOL. 

Each  of  our  Sunday  schools,  in  its  auxiliary  relationshi]) 
to  the  Home  Missionary  Society  and  the  Foreign  Missionary 
Society  of  our  Cliurch,  is  expected  to  observe  a  monthly  mis- 
sionary day.  on  which  a  brief  missionary  exerci^^e  shall  be 
rendered  and  a  missionary  offering  taken.  In  places  wheie 
a  monthly  missionary  da.v  seems  impi-actica'ble.  each  school 
shall   be   I'equired   to   ol)serve  such    a    missionary   day   once   a 


98  DISCIPLINE 

quarter.  The  first  and  third  quarters- of  the  calendar  year 
shall  be  devoted  to  the  study  of  foreign  missions;  the  secon'i 
and  fourth  quarters  to  the  study  of  home  missions  ;  the  offer- 
ings during  these  periods  to  go  to  the  respective  missionary 
societies. 

Section  IV. 

BROTIIEKIIOOI)   WORK. 

General  Statement. 

A  promising  movement  in  modern  Christianity  is  the  bind- 
ing together  of  men  in  church  brotherhoods  for  personal, 
religious  improvement  and  training  for  efficient  service  in 
the  kingdom  of  Christ. 

A  brotherhood  in  its  organization  may  comprise  all  the 
men  of  a  local  church,  or  a  men's  Bible  class  (where  such 
is  the  only  men's  organization  in  the  church),  or  a  group 
of  two  or  more  men's  Bible  classes  in  the  Sunday  school. 

It  should  be  sufficiently  broad  in  its  organization  to  in- 
clude in  its  activities  all  the  men  of  both  the  local  church 
and  Sunday  school.  The  number  of  committees  may  be 
diminished  or  increased  according  to  the  discretion  of  the 
I)rotherhood.  Special  attention  should  be  given  by  the 
brotherhood  to  the  development  of  various  forms  of  work 
among  boys.  « 

CONSTITUTION     SUGGESTED     FOR     A     BROTHERHOOD. 

Article   I. 

NAME. 

The    name    of    this    organization    shall    be    the    Otterbein 

Brotherhood  of  the    Church,   United 

Brethren   in   Christ. 

Article  II. 

OBJECT. 

The  purpose  of  this  organization  is  to  promote  the  brother- 
hood spirit,  the  religious  growth  and  activity  of  our  men, 
to  increase  interest  in  Bible  study,  the  salvation  of  boys 
and  men  and  forming  among  them  a  closer  Christian  fellow- 
ship, to  build  up  the  efficiency  of  the  local  church,  to  en- 
courage denominational  loyalty,  to  enlist  men  in  all  worthy 
movements   for  social,   civic,   and   industrial   betterment,   and 


HHOTIIERIIOOD    WORK  91) 

in  every  way  to  train  onr  men  in  Christ's  service  for  tlie 
spread  of  his  kingdom  thronghout  the  earth. 

Article  III. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

1.  Any  man  over  sixteen  j^ears  of  age  shall  be  eligible 
to  membership,  if  approved  by  the  executive  committee  and 
elected  'by  a  majority  of  the  members  present  at  any  regular 
meeting  of  the  brotherhood. 

2.  Each  member  shall  be  re^inired  to  pay  a  monthly  dne 
of    cents. 

Article  IV. 

MEETINGS. 

1.  Devotional. — The  brotherhood  may  hold  weelvly  or 
monthly  devotional  meetings  for  the  study  of  the  Word, 
prayer,  and  testimony.  All  members  of  the  brotherhood 
should  be  encouraged  to  take  a  part. 

2.  Business. — Business  meetings  shall  l)e  held  monthly  or 
quarterly  or  oftener  at  the  call  of  the  executive  committee. 

3 members   present  at  any   regular   or 

special  meeting  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction 
of  business. 

4.  At  the  regular  business  meetings  the  officers  and  chair- 
men of  committees  shall  submit  written  reports  of  work  done. 

Article   V. 

OFFICERS. 

1.  The  elective  officers  shall  consist  of  a  president,  vice- 
I)resident,  secretary,  and  treasurer.  They  shall  be  elected 
for  one  year  by  a  majority  of  the  members  present  at  the 
annual  meeting  and  shall  hold  office  until  their  successors 
are  chosen. 

2.  The  president  and  treasurer  shall  be  members  of  the 
local  church  where  this  brotherhood  is  organized. 

.*>.  The  pastor  shall  be  an  ex  officio  member  of  the  ex- 
ecutive committee. 

Article    VI. 

DUTIES    OF   OFFICERS. 

1.  The  president  shall  ])reside  at  all  business  meetings 
and  shall  be  a  member  ex  officio  of  all  regular  committees. 


100  DISCIPLINE 

2.  The  vice-president  shall  assist  the  president  and  shall 
perform  all  the  duties  of  the  president  in  case  of  the  latter's 
absence  or  disability. 

;^.  The  secretary  shall  keei»  a  roll  of  the  membership  and 
a  record  of  all  the  proceedings  of  each  business  meeting. 
He  shall  report  the  formation  of  the  brotherhood  to  the  con- 
ference organization  and  to  the  office  of  the  Board  of  Conli'ol 
of  Sunday  School,  Brotherhood,  and  Young-  People's  Woi'k, 
and  from  time  to  time  report  for  publication  items  concern- 
ing the  progress  of  the  brotherhood. 

4.  The  treasurer  shall  collect  all  dues,  keep  moneys,  and 
pay  all  bills  upon  the  authorization  of  the  president  and 
secretary.  He  shall  make  a  report  of  all  receipts  and  dis- 
bursements at  the  regular  business  meetings  of  the  brother- 
hood. 

Article   VII. 

STANDING    COMMITTEES   AND   THEIR   DUTIES. 

1.  There  may  be  authorized  six  standing  committees : 
executive,  membership,  devotional  and  religious  work,  social 
and  fellowship,  Bible  and  mission  study,  and  Sunday-school 
work  and  moral  reform. 

2.  The  executive  committee  shall  consist  of  the  pastor, 
officers  of  the  brotherhood  and  the  chairmen  of  the  standing 
committees.  This  committee  shall  outline  plans  and  aims 
for  the  brotherhood  and  stimulate  the  different  committees  in 
their  specific  duties. 

3.  The  membershi])  committee  shall  seek  to  win  new 
members,  prayerfully  follow  up  all  delinquents,  visit  the 
sick,  and  provide  as  far  as  possible  for  the  relief  of  all 
members  in  distress. 

4.  The  devotional  and  religious  work  committee  shall 
provide  leaders  and  topics  for  such  devotional  meetings  as 
shall  be  agreed  upon,  aid  in  building  up  the  church  prayer- 
meeting  and  other  church  services,  and  plan  such  other  meet- 
ings as  will  promote  the  religious  life  of  boys  and  men. 

This  committee  should  labor  earnestly  to  carry  on  reli- 
gious work  among  boys. 

5.  Social  and  fellowship.  Tliis  committee  shall  provide 
social  functions,  welcome  strangers  and  new-comers  to  the 
church  services,  Sunday-school  and  brotherhood  meetings, 
and  in  every  way  encourage  friendliness  among  men  and 
boys. 


YOUNG    people's    WOlJIv  101 

G.  •  Bible,  mission  stnclj',  and  Snuday  school.  This  com- 
mittee shall  seek  to  interest  men  in  the  study  of  the  Bible, 
missionary  books  as  authorized  by  our  mission  boards,  and 
cooperate  in  the  organization  of  men's  and  boys  classes  in 
the  Sunday  school. 

7.  Moral  reform.  This  committee  shall  luring  to  the  no- 
tice of  the  brotherhood  all  urgent  problems  of  moral  reform 
and  aid  in  advancing  the  cause  of  civic  righteousness  through 
the  brotherhood. 

ArticlG  Tin. 
The  brotherhood  shall  take  an  offering  each  year  in  the 
month  of  January  for  the  use  of  the  Board  of  Control  in 
promoting  its  work,  and.  through  the  local  treasurer,  forward 
the  same  to  the  office  of  the  General  Church  Treasurer  at 
Dayton,   Ohio. 

Article  IX. 

AMENDMENTS. 

This  constitution  may  be  amended  at  any  regular  business 
meeting  of  the  brotherhood  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  mem- 
bers present,  provided  the  amendment  was  submitted  to  the 
brotherhood  at  a  previous  meeting. 

Any  by-laws  may  be  adopted  for  increasing  the  efficiency 
of  the  brotherhood,  provided  such  are  in  harmony  with  this 
constitution  and  the  Discipline  of  the  Church. 

Section  V. 

YOUNG    people's    WOHK. 

Article    I. 

^NIOUEL    CONSTUIUTION    FOR    A    YOUNG    PeOPLE's    SOCIETY    OF 

CiiinsTiAN    Endeavor. 

NAME.* 

This  society  shall  be  called  the  Young  l'eoi)le"s  Socitity  of 

Christian  Endeavor  of  t United  Brethren 

Church  of  t 

Article  LL 

OBJECT. 

It  shall  be  the  ol).iect  of  this  society  to  promote  an  earnest 
Christian  life  amcnig  its   members,   to   increase  their  mutual 

*Societies  desiring  to  use  the  name  Young  People's  Christian 
Kucleavor   Union   may   do   so. 

tlnsert  name  of  churcli  and  place. 


102  DISCIPLINE 

acijuaintauce,  to  make  them  more  useful  in  the  serviae  of 
God,  to  promote  loyalty  to  the  Church  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ,  to  study  its  life  and  interests,  and  to  seek  in 
every  proper  way  to  assist  in  the  growth  of  both  the  local 
church  and  the  denomination  at  large,  as  our  particular 
part  of  God's  Zion. 

Article   HI. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

1.  The  members  shall  consist  of  three  classes,  Active, 
Associate,  and  Honorary. 

2.  Active  Members. — The  active  members  of  this  society 
shall  consist  of  the  pastor  and  all  Christian  young  people 
who  sincerely  desire  to  accomplish  the  object  above  specified. 
Voting  powers  shall  be  vested  only  in  the  active  members. 

3.  Associate  Members. — All  young  persons  of  worthy 
character  who  have  not  as  yet  publicly  professed  their  faith 
in  Christ,  may  'become  associate  members  of  this  society. 
They  shall  have  the  special  prayers  and  sympathy  of  the 
active  members.  It  is  expected  that  all  associate  members 
will  regularly  attend  the  prayer-meetings  and  that  they  will 
in  time  become  active  members. 

4.  Honorary  or  Affiliated  Members. — Persons  who  for  any 
reason  cannot  assume  the  duties  of  active  membership,  but 
who  are  interested  in  the  society,  and  desire  to  promote  its 
welfare,  maj'  become  honorary  members.  Honorary  members 
are  expected  to  support  the  society  financially  and  other- 
wise. 

5.  These  different  persons  shall  become  members  upon 
election  by  the  society. 

Article  IV. 

OFFICERS    AND    COMMITTEES. 

1.  The  officers  of -this  society  shall  be  a  president,  a 
vice-president,  a  recording  secretary,  a  corresponding  secre- 
tary, a  treasurer,  and  a  AYatchword  agent,  all  of  whom  shall 
be  chosen  fi-om  the  active  members  of  the  society.  The  presi- 
dent should  be  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church. 

2.  Excutice  Committee. — This  committee  shall  consist  of 
the  pastor  of  the  church,  the  officers  of  the  societj^  the  chair- 
men of  the  various  committees,  and  the  .Junior  superintend- 
ent. All  matters  of  business  rc(iuiring  debate  may  be  brought 
first  before  this  committee. 


YOUNG  people's   WORK  103 

3.  other  Co))intittccs. — There  shall  be  apfjoiuted  from  the 
active  membership  such  committees  as  shall  be  necessary  to 
carry  on  the  work  of  the  society,  these  committees  to  be 
selected  from  the  list  suggested  in  the  by-laws. 

Article  V. 

DUTIES  OF  OFFICERS. 

1.  President. — The  president  of  the  society  shall  perform 
the  duties  usually  pertaining  to  that  office.  He  shall  have 
general  oversight  of  the  interests  of  the  society,  and  it  shall 
be  his  care  to  see  that  the  different  committees  perform  the 
duties  devolving  upon  them.  He  shall  make  a  report  of  the 
work  of  the  society  at  each  session  of.  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence or  official  board. 

2.  Vice-President. — The  vice-president  shall  assist  the 
president  in  promoting  the  interest  of  the  society  and  shall 
perform  the  duties  of  the  president  in  his  absence. 

3.  Recording  Secretary. — The  recording  secretary  shall 
keep  a  record  of  the  members,  and  correct  it  from  time  to 
time,  as  maj^  be  necessary ;  shall  obtain  the  signature  of  each 
newly-elected  member  to  the  pledge ;  shall  correspond  with 
absent  members,  and  infonn  them  of  their  standing  in  the 
society  ;  shall  keep  correct  minutes  of  all  business  meetings 
of  the  society  ;  and  shall  notify  all  persons  elected  to  office 
or  to  committees,  in  writing,  if  necessary. 

4.  Corresponding  Secretary. — The  corresponding  secre- 
tary shall  keep  the  local  society  in  communication  with  the 
Board  of  Control  of  the  Sunday  School.  Brotherhood,  and 
Young  People's  Work,  and  with  other  local  societies ;  and 
shall  present  to  his  own  society  such  matters  of  interest  as 
may-  come  from  the  Board  of  Control,  from  other  local  so- 
cieties, and  from  other  Christian  sources.  He  shall  also  re- 
])ort  to  the  General  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Control  the 
number  of  persons  who  have  adopted  the  Christian  Steward- 
ship plan.  This  office  shall  be  permanent,  and  the  name 
shall  be  forwarded  to  the  corresponding  secretary  of  the  con- 
ference Union  and  to  the  General  Secretary  of  the  Board  of 
Control,  at  Dayton,  Ohio. 

5.  Treasurer. — The  treasui-cr  shall  safely  keej)  all  moneys 
belonging  to  the  society  and  pay  out  only  such  sums  as  shall 
be  voted  by  the  society. 


104  DISCIPLINE 

Article  VI. 

THE    PRAYER-MEETING. 

1.  All  the  active  members  shall  be  present  at  every  meet- 
ing, unless  detained  by  some  absolute  necessity,  and  each 
active  member  shall  take  some  part,  however  slight,  in  every 
meeting.  To  the  above  all  the  active  members  shall  pledge 
themselves,  understanding  by  "absolute  necessity"  some  rea- 
son for  absence  which  can  conscientiously  be  given  to  their 
Master,  Jesus  Christ. 

2.  Once  each  mouth  a  consecration  or  covenant  meeting 
shall  be  hela,  at  which  each  active  member  shall  renew  his 
vows  of  consecration.  If  any  one  chooses,  he  can  express 
his  feelings  by  an  appropriate  verse  of  scripture  or  otlnn- 
quotation. 

3.  At  each  consecration  meeting  the  roll  shall  be  called, 
or  some  other  effective  method  of  making  the  record  may  be 
employed,  and  the  responses  of  the  active  members  who  are 
present  shall  be  considered  as  a  renewed  expression  of  alle- 
giance to  Christ.  It  is  expected  that  if  any.  one  is  obliged  to 
be  absent  from  this  meeting  he  will  send  a  message,  or  at 
least  a  verse  of  scripture,  to  be  read  in  response  to  his  name 
at  the  roll-call. 

4.  If  any  active  member  of  this  society  is  absent  from 
this  monthly  meeting  and  fails  to  send  a  message,  the  Look- 
out Committee  is  expected  to  take  the  name  of  such  a  one, 
and  in  a  kind  and  brotherly  spirit  ascertain  the  reason  for 
the  absence.  If  an  active  member  of  the  society  is  absent 
and  unexcused  from  three  consecutive  monthly  meetings,  his 
name  may  be  stricken  from  the  list  of  members,  on  the  ap- 
proval of  the  Executive  Committee. 

5.  The  Lookout  Committee  may  also,  in  order  to  satisfy 
itself  of  the  Christian  character  of  the  candidate,  present  to 
all  candidates  for  active  membership  the  following  card  to  be 
signed.* 

Trust'uif/  in  fJic  Lord  Jesus  Christ  for  sf)-ciif/t]i,  I  pronvisc 
Jiiiii  that  f  ivill  strive  to  do  whatever  he  would  have  we  do. 
I  irill  make  it  the  rule  of  my  life  to  pra}i  and  read  the  Bible, 
to  support  the  ivork  and  icorship  of  my  church,  and  to  take 
my  part  in  the  meetings  and  other  activities  of  this  society. 
These  things  I  tvill  do  unless  hindered  hy  conscientious  rea- 
sons; and  in  them  all  I  will  seek  the  Savior's  r/iiidancc. 
Signed 

*If  this  exact  form  of  words  is  not  adopted,  it  is  earnestly 
lu)])e(l  tliat  a  pledge  embracing  the  main  ideas  will  be  used. 


YOUNG    people's    WORK  105 

Article  VII. 

BUSINESS   MEETINGS   AND  ELECTIONS. 

1.  Business  meetings  may  'be  held  monthlj'  on  an  evening 
designated  by  the  society,  or  at  any  other  time  upon  call  of 
the  president. 

2.  An  election  of  officers  and  committees  shall  be  held 
annually  (or  semi-annually,  as  may  be  thought  best).  Names 
may  be  proposed  by  a  nominating  committee  appointed  by 
the  president. 

Article  Till. 

RELATION    TO    THE    CHURCH. 

1.  This  society  shall  at  no  time  adopt  any  rule  or  prac- 
tice contrary  to  the  Discipline  and  usages  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church. 

2.  This  society  shall  be  auxiliary  to  ihe  ■ 

Conference  Branch  Christian  Endeavoi   Union  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ. 

Article  IX. 

DUES. 

I'his  society  shall  pay  annually  into  the  branch  treasury, 
as  dues,  such  sum  as  may  be  determined  by  the  branch 
union,  fifty  cents  of  which  shall  go  to  the  Board  of  Control 
of  Young  People's  Work  for  the  promotion  of  the  general 
work.  It  shall  also  collect  from  each  Junior  and  intermedi- 
ate society  as  annual  dues  at  least  fifty  cents,  of  which 
twenty-five  cents  shall  go  to  the  Board  of  Control  for  the 
general  work.  These  annual  dues  should  be  forwarded  by 
the  treasurer,  on  order,  to  the  treasurer  of  the  branch 
union.  Tliese  amounts  are  due  the  first  of  January  each 
3'ear,  and  should  be  paid  during  that  month. 

Article  X. 

AMENDMENTS. 

This  constitution  may  be  amended  at  any  regular  meeting 
by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  members  present,  one  week's 
notice  having  been  given ;  provided  that  Article  II.  and 
Article  IX.  shall  not  be  changed. 


106  DISCIPLINE 

BY-LAWS. 

Article  I. 

MEETINGS. 

1.  Regular  Meetings. — This  society  shall  hold  a  meeting 

ou  evening  of  each  week.     The  

regular  meeting  of  each  month  shall  be  a  testimony  or  con- 
secration meeting.  The  regular  business  meeting  shall  be 
on  the evening  of  each  month. 

2.  Christian  Culture  Meetings. — Meetings  for  the  study 
of  personal  evangelism,  missions,  Christian  stewardship, 
Christian  citizenship,  or  other  subjects  may  be  held  as  de- 
termined upon  by  the  society.  Such  meetings  may  be  held 
at  the  time  of  the  regular  meetings,  if  agreed  upon  by  the 
executive  committee. 

3.  Literary  Meetings. — Literary  meetings  for  the  pursuit 
of  some  definite  course  of  study  or  for  the  rendering  of  liter- 
ary programs  may  be  held  at  such  times  as  the  society  may 
determine,  and  shall  be  under  the  direction  of  the  Literary 
Committee,  provided  that  nothing  shall  be  given  inconsistent 
with  our  position  as  a  Christian  society. 

Article  II. 

FINANCES. 

The  funds  of  the  society  may  be  raised  by  regular  dues 
payable  at  the  monthly  business  meeting  or  at  the  conse- 
cration meeting,  or  the  society  may  adopt  other  systematic 
plans  for  the  finances.  Monthly  payments  to  missionary 
funds  may  be  made  at  the  time  when  the  monthly  missionary 
topic  is  considered. 

Article  III. 

SUGGESTED    COMMITTEES    AND    THEIR    DUTIES. 

1.  Executive  Committee. — See  Constitution,  Article  IV., 
Section  2. 

2.  Lool'out  Committee. — It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  com- 
mittee to  bring  new  members  into  the  society,  to  introduce 
them  to  the  work  and  to  the  other  members,  and  to  look  after 
and  reclaim  any  that  seem  indifferent  to  their  duties.  This 
committee  shall  also,  after  consideration,  propose  names  for 
membership  at  least  one  week  before  their  election. 

3.  Devotional  Committee.— This  committee  shall  have  in 
charge  the  meetings,  and  shall  see  that  a  topic  is  assigned 
and   a   leader   appointed    for   every   devotional   meeting.      It 


YOUNG  people's   WORK  107 

shall  also  assist  the  leader  in  increasing  the  interest  in  the 
devotional  meetings. 

4.  fiocial  Committee.- — It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  com- 
mittee to  promote  the  social  interests  of  the  society  by  wel- 
coming strangers  to  the  meetings,  and  by  providing  for  the 
mutual  acquaintance  of  the  members  by  occasional  sociables, 
for  which  any  appropriate  entertainment  of  which  the  church 
approves  may  be  provided. 

5.  Church  and  Sunday  School  Committee. — It  shall  be  the 
duty  of  this  committee  to  visit  the  young  people  of  the  com- 
munity and  strangers,  invite  them  to  the  Sunday-school  and 
church  services,  and  see  that  they  are  properly  received  at 
these  meetings.  The  committee  shall  also  cooperate  with  the 
pastor  of  the  church  and  the  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school  in  any  way  which  they  may  suggest  for  the  benefit  of 
the  church  and  Sunday  school. 

G.  Missionary  Committee. — It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this 
committee  to  awaken  an  intelligent  missionary  enthusiasm 
among  the  members  of  the  society.  This  interest  is  to  be 
aroused  by  holding  missionary  meetings,  promoting  mission 
study  classes,  and  by  using  missionary  funds  as  directed  by 
the  society. 

7.  Music  Committee. — It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  com- 
mittee to  provide  for  the  singing  at  the  Young  People's  meet- 
ing, and  also  to  turn  the  musical  ability  of  the  society  into 
account,  when  necessary,  at  public  religious  meetings. 

S.  21ie  Relief  Committee. — It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this 
committee  to  do  what  it  can  to  cheer  and  aid,  if  possible  and 
necessary  by  material  comforts,  the  sick  and  destitute  among 
the  young  people  of  the  church  and  Sunday  school. 

9.  The  Literary  Committee. — The  Literary  Committee 
(of  which  the  pastor  may  be  a  member)  shall  have  charge 
of  the  literary  work  of  the  society.  It  shall  also  do  what 
it  can  to  circulate  the  Watchword,  the  Religious  Telescope, 
and  all  other  periodicals  of  the  Church,  among  the  families 
of  the  congregation,  as  the  pastor  of  the  church  may  direct. 
It  may,  if  deemed  best,  distribute  tracts,  and  in  any  other 
suitable  way  introduce  good  reading  matter  wherever  prac- 
ticable. The  Watchicord  Agent  may  be  chairman  of  this 
committee. 

10.  Christian  Stewardship  Committee.— It  shall  be  the 
duty  of  this  committee  to  practice  and  teach  by  every  possi- 
ble means  the  duty  of  systematic,  proportionate  giving  to  the 
cause  of  Christ  of  at  least  one-tenth  of  the  income  of  the 


108  DISCIPLINE 

members  of  the  society,  and  to  secure  and  preserve  a  roll  of 
the  members  who  practice  such  giving,  or  will  promise  to  do 
80,  and  through  the  corresponding  secretary  of  the  society 
forward  a  list  of  such  names  to  the  General  Secretary  of 
the  Board  of  Control  or  to  the  Secretary  of  Christian  Stew- 
ardship. 

11.  College  Committee. — It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this 
committee  to  keep  the  society  in  touch  with  the  college  with 
which  the  conference  cooperates,  to  awaken  a  desire  in  the 
young  people  for  college  training,  and  communicate  the 
names  of  the  persons  who  may  desire  to  attend  the  college 
to  the  president  of  the  college,  and  to  promote  the  interests 
of  the  college  in  any  reasonable  way  in  which  the  college 
authorities  may  suggest. 

Article  IV. 

ELECTIONS. 

The  election  of  officers  shall  be  held  at  the  regular  busi- 
ness meeting  in .     A  nominating  committee  may 

be  appointed  by  the  president. 

Article  V. 

QUORUM. 

members   shall    constitute   a   quorum   for    the 


tKausaction  of  business. 

Article  VI. 

AMENDMENTS. 

These  By-Laws  may  be  amended  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of 
the  members  present. 

Section  VI. 
model   constitution   for   a  junior   christian   endeavor 

SOCIETY.* 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

This  organization  shall  be  known  as  the  Junior  Christian 

Endeavor  Societyf  of United 

Brethren  Church  of 

*This  constitution  by  a  few  verbal  changes  may  be  adapted 
to  the  Intermediate  society. 

tWhere  it  is  not  desired  to  use  the  pledge  and  the  Endeavor 
name,  the  society  may  be  called  the  Junior  Young  People's  So- 
ciety. 


YOUNG   people's    WORK  101) 

Article  11. 

OBJECT. 

The  object  of  this  society  shall  be  to  promote  iu  its  mem- 
bers a  pure  and  worthy  character,  to  aid  in  the  study  of  the 
Bible,  and  to  cultivate  the  principles  of  loyal  service  to 
Christ. 

Article  III. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

1.  The  members  shall  be  boys  and  girls  from  seven  to 
fifteen  years  of  age,  who  shall  have  been  approved  by  the 
superintendents,  and  elected  by  a  majority  of  the  members 
present  at  any  regular  meeting. 

2.  All  those  who  become  members  shall  pledge  themselves 
to  attend  regularly  the  meetings  of  the  society  and  to  observe 
good  order  in  them. 

Article   IV. 

JUNIOR    SOCIETY    PLEDGE. 

Trusting  in  Jesus  Christ  to  help  me,  I  promise  thai  I  icill 
strive  to  do  whatever  he  would  like  to  have  me  do;  that  I 
will  pray  and  read  the  Bihle,  and  keep  the  Sahhath  day  holy; 
and  that  just  so  far  as  I  know>  hoio  I  loill  try  to  lead  a  good 
life;  that  I  will  he  present  at  every  meeting  ivhen  not  hin- 
dered iy  sickness  or  some  other  just  cause;  and  that  I  tcill 
take  some  part  in  the  meetings,  especially  the  monthly  recog- 
nition meetings. 

Note. — There  should  be  great  care  in  having  young  children, 
who  will  innocently  sign  anytliing,  take  this  pledge.  The  pledge 
should  be  clearly  explained  and  wisely  emphasized.  To  secure 
the  cooperation  of  parents,  the  superintendents  should  send  to 
them  a  copy  of  the  pledge,  and  also  the  following  for  the  parents 
to  sign. 

parent's  answer. 

/  have  carefully  read  the  accompanying  pledge  and  cheer- 
fully give  my  consent  for   to  sign  it,'  and 

tcill  do  ivhat  I  can  to  help    to  faithfully 

keep  it. 

Parent's  Name 

Address 


110  DISCIPLINE 

Article  V. 

OFFICERS. 

1.  The  officers  of  this  society  shall  be  a  superintendent 
and  such  assistant  superintendents  (adults)  as  may  be 
needed,  a  president,  vice-president,  secretary,  and  treasurer. 

2.  The  superintendents  may  be  appointed  by  the  pastor. 
or  elected  by  the  Young  People's  Society  of  the  church,  with 
the  approval  of  the  pastor  and  official  board. 

Article   VI. 

DUTIES  OF  OFFICERS. 

1.  The  superintendent  shall  have  general  charge  of  the 
society  and  its  work.  A  report  is  to  be  made  to  each  quar- 
terly conference. 

2.  The  assistant  superintendents  shall  aid  the  superin- 
tendent in  promoting  the  work  of  the  society.  The  first  as- 
sistant may  care  for  all  the  funds  received  from  the  treasurer. 

3.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  business  meetings, 
under  the  advice  of  the  superintendent. 

4.  The  vice-president  shall  conduct  business  meetings  in 
the  absence  of  the  president. 

5.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  names  and 
attendance  of  members,  and  of  the  proceedings  of  all  business 
meetings. 

6.  The  treasurer  shall  take  the  collections,  enter  the 
amount  in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose,  and  turn  over 
the  money  to  the  assistant  superintendent  for  safe  keeping. 
A  record  shall  also  be  kept  of  all  expenditures  as  directed 
by  the  superintendent  and  society. 

Article  VII. 

COMMITTEES. 

There  may  be  such  committees  as  the  superintendent  deems 
necessary.  The  members  of  the  committees  may  be  nomi- 
nated by  the  superintendent  and  elected  by  the  society. 

1.  LooJxOut,  or  Memhersliip  Committee. — This  committee 
shall  secure  the  names  of  those  who  should  join  the  society 
and'  seek  to  induce  them  to  become  members.  They  shall 
also  aid  in  keeping  the  members  faithful  in  attendance  and 
taking  part. 

2.  Prayer-Meeting ,  or  Devotional. — This  committee  shall 
help  the  superintendent  to  arrange  programs,  provide  music, 
to  distribute  Bibles,  singing-books,  tracts,  etc.,  and  to  aid  in 


YOUNG  people's   WORK  111 

every  way  which  the  superintendents  may  direct  to  promote 
the  interests  of  the  meetings. 

3.  Social. — This  committee  shall  welcome  the  members  to 
the  meetings  and  help  the  superintendent  in  holding  socials. 

4.  Temperance. — To  canvass  for  signatures  to  the  temper- 
ance pledge  under  the  direction  of  the  superintendents,  and 
to  help  in  any  other  way  to  promote  temperance  work  among 
bo.vs  and  girls. 

Temperance  Pledge. — /  hereby  promise,  God  helping  me. 
to  abstain  from  the  use  of  tobacco  in  every  form,  from  the 
use  of  ivine,  beer,  and  other  intoxicating  drinks,  and  from 
the  use  of  all  profane  and  unclean  language. 

5.  Executive  Committee. — ^^Tlie  pastor,  superintendents, 
and  the  officers  shall  compose  the  executive  committee,  which 
shall  have  full  control  of  the  affairs  of  the  society. 

Article  VIII. 

MEETINGS. 

1.  A  devotional  meeting  shall  be  held  every  week,  the  ex- 
ercises of  which  shall  consist  of  prayers,  scripture  reading 
and  study,  singing,  and  testimony. 

2.  Once  a  month  the  meeting  shall  be  known  as  the  Rec- 
ognition fleeting.  At  some  time  during  the  exercises  the 
pledge,  if  there  is  one,  shall  be  recited  in  concert,  and  the 
roll  called.  The  responses  shall  be  considered  a  renewal  of 
the  pledge  of  the  society. 

3.  All  meetings  shall  be  in  charge  of  the  superintendents, 
employing  the  members  as  leaders  in  the  best  manner  to 
train  them. 

4.  The  pastor  or  superintendents  shall  use  a  part  of  the 
hour  of  the  weekly  meeting,  when  deemed  best,  for  special 
instruction  in  Bible  truth,  or  for  other  profitable  exerc'^^es. 

Article   IX. 

RELATIONSHIP. 

This  society  shall  be  considered  a  department  of  the  church 
with  which  it  is  connected.  It  shall  also  sustain  a  close  and 
intimate  relation  to  the  Young  People's  Society  of  the  church, 
with  which  the  members  of  this  .Junior  society  are  expected 
to  connect  themselves  when  they  have  reached  the  age  limit. 

BY-LAWS. 

1.  The  regular  meetings  of  this  society  shall  be  held 
The  last  meeting  of  each  month  shall 


112  DISCIPLINE 

be   a    recoguition    meeting.      Tlie    business    meeting    shall    be 
held    

2.  The  superintendents,  in  consultation  with  the  pastor, 
shall  at  each  election  propose  names  of  available  members 
for  the  several  offices,  who  shall  be  elected  by  a  majority  of 
the  members  present.  The  officers  shall  be  elected  and  the 
committees  appointed  for  a  term  of  six  months,   and   shall 

enter  upon  their  duties  the day  of 

and  the    daj?^  of of 

each  year. 

3.  The  funds  for  the  expenses  of  the  society  and  other 
purposes  may  be  raised  by  regular  dues  or  by  offerings  taken 
at  the  monthly  Recognition  Meetings,  or  at  other  meetings 
as  the  superintendents  may  arrange. 

4.  Special  meetings  of  the  society  may  be  called  at  any 
time  by  the  pastor  or  superintendents. 

5.  The  committees  should  hold  a  meeting  with  the  super- 
intendents once  a  month  for  consultation  about  their  work. 

6.  This  Constitution  and  these  By-Laws  may  be  amended 
at  any  regular  meeting  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  execu- 
tive committee. 

MODEL    CONSTITUTION    FOR    THE    CONFERENCE    BRANCH    CHRIS- 
TIAN   ENDEAVOR  UNION.* 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

This  organization  shall  be  called  the  Christian  Endeavor 

Union  of  the conference  of  the  Church 

of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

Article  II. 

OBJECT. 

The  object  of  this  union  shall  be  to  unite  the  Young 
People's  Christian  societies  of  the  conference,  of  whatever 
name,  for  mutual  helpfulness,  and  for  stimulating  Church 
loyalty  and  an  intelligent  interest  in  the  various  Church  en- 
tei*prises,  and  for  the  organization  and  extension  of  Young 
People's  Christian  societies  within  the  conference. 

*The  incorporation  of  the  name  "Christian  Endeavor"  was 
authorized  by  the  Biennial  Convention,  1908,  and  was  approved 
by  the  General  Conference. 


YOUNG    people's    WORK  113 

Article  III. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

1.  Any  Youug-  People's  Christian  Endeavor  Society, 
Young  People's  Christian  Union,  or  any  other  Young  Peo- 
ple's Christian  organization  connected  with  a  United  Breth- 
ren Church  in  this  conference  may  be  a  member  of  this 
Branch  Union.  Local  Junior  and  intermediate  societies  may 
likewise  be  members. 

2.  Each  Y'oung  People's  Society  shall  be  entitled  to — ■ 

delegates,  and  each  Junior  and  intermediate  society  to 

delegates  to  the  conventions  of  the  Branch  Union. 

Article  IV. 

OFFICERS. 

1.  The  officers  shall  be  a  president,  a  vice-president,  a 
recording  secretary,  a  corresponding  secretary,  a  treasurer, 
one  or  more  Junior  superintendents,  and  such  other  depart- 
ment superintendents  as  may  be  deemed  necessary.  These 
shall  be  elected  at  the  regular  convention  of  the  union. 

2.  The  Branch  Executive  Committee  shall  consist  of  all 
the  regularly-elected  officers  of  the  Branch  Union,  and  such 
other  members  as  may  be  elected.  This  committee  should  co- 
operate with  the  conference  board  of  the  Department  of  Sun- 
day School,  Brotherhood,  and  Young  People's  Work. 

Article   V. 

DUTIES. 

1.  The  duties  of  the  president,  vice-president,  and  treas- 
urer shall  be  such  as  usually  devolve  upon  such  officers. 

2.  Tlie  duties  of  the  recording  secretary  shall  be  to  keep 
a  record  of  all  transactions  of  the  union  and  of  the  execu- 
tive committee. 

3.  The  duties  of  the  corresponding  secretary  shall  be  to 
keep  a  list  of  the  societies  in  the  conference,  with  the  name 
of  the  president  and  corresponding  secretary  of  each,  and  a 
list  of  the  officers  of  the  Branch  Union  ;  to  furnish  the  same 
to  the  General  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Control  of  Sunday 
School,  Brotherhood,  and  Young  People's  Work  ;  to  conduct 
all  correspondence ;  and  to  be  the  organizer  of  new  societies 
within  the  conference. 

4.  The  Junior  superintendents  shall  have  charge  of  the 
Junior  work  in  the  branch. 


114  DISCIPLINE 

5.  The  executive  committee  shall  look  after  the  interests 
of  the  Young  People's  societies  in  the  conference,  provide  for 
meeting  necessary  expenses,  provide  for  the  collection  of 
annual  dues  and  the  payment  of  the  proper  amounts  to  the 
General  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Control  at  Dayton,  Ohio, 
arrange  for  the  annual  meetings,  and  perform  such  other 
duties  as  may  be  requested  by  the  Board  of  Control. 

Article  VI. 

CONVENTIONS. 

1.  The  conventions  of  this  Branch  Union  shall  be  annual, 
at  such  time  and  place  as  may  be  determined  by  the  union 
or  by  its  executive  committee. 

Article   VII. 

FINANCES. 

The  funds  for  the  regular  work  of  this  union  may  be 
raised  by  annual  dues  levied  upon  each  Young  People's, 
Intermediate,  and  Junior  Society  in  the  conference,  the 
amount  to  be  determined  by  the  union.  From  the  dues  col- 
lected, fifty  cents  for  each  Young  People's  Society  and 
twenty-five  cents  for  each  Intermediate  or  Junior  Society 
shall  be  paid  annually  to  the  Board  of  Control  for  the  gen- 
eral work.  Branch  benevolent  funds  may  be  raised  by  syste- 
matic offerings  or  in  any  other  proper  manner. 

Article  VIII. 
By-Latcs. 
The  Branch  Union  may  enact  such  by-laws  as  conference 
conditions  and  needs  may  require.     It  is  expected  that  no  by- 
laws inconsistent  with  the  general  good  of  the  Young  Peo- 
ple's work  in  the  Church  will  be  enacted. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

CiiRiSTiAiV  Stewardship. 

The  providence  of  God  and  the  trend  of  events  indicate 
that  the  time  has  come  when  there  should  be  a  thorough, 
systematic,  and  definite  sj'stem  inaugurated,  with  a  properly- 
equipped  agenc3',  authorized  by  this  General  Conference  to 
promote  Christian  stewardship  and  tithing  systematically 
and  continuously  in  financing  the  departments  of  our  work ; 
and,  furthermore,  believing  that  Christian  stewardship  as 
taught  in  the  Word  of  God  is  the  only  correct  method,  and 
vitally  important  for  the  success  of  the  spreading  of  the 
gospel,  therefore  the  following  is  enacted  : 

1.  That  a  text-book  or  manual  on  the  principles  of  stew- 
ardship and  tithing  and  on  plans  and  methods  of  local  church 
financing  be  prepared  to  be  used  as  a  text-book  of  instruction 
for  official  boards  and  the  laity  of  the  Church,  in  a  manner 
similar  to  the  books  now  used  for  mission  study  and  teacher 
training. 

2.  To  study  the  workings  of  local  church  financial  plans 
and  advocate  the  best. 

3.  To  conduct  an  educational  campaign  for  systematic 
and  proportionate  giving. 

4.  To  provide  tracts  and  by  speech  and  press  promote 
the  principles  of  stewardship. 

5.  It  is  recommended  that  the  laymen  and  pastors  on 
each  charge  seek  to  introduce  a  weekly  system  of  giving  to 
meet  all  local  needs,  including  pastor's  salary,  conference 
superintendent's  salary,  expenses  of  janitor,  music,  taxes, 
repairs,  printing,  heating,  lighting,  and  for  any  other  items 
thought  necessary  by  the  local  church. 

The  form  of  su'bscriptiou  card  to  meet  these  needs  recom- 
mended will  be  found  in  Formulas  and  Forms,  page  200. 

G.  Our  churches  should  introduce  a  weekly  system  of  giv- 
ing for  benevolences  as  well  as  for  their  local  needs,  and 
when  a  congregation  introduces  such  a  system  it  should  be 
relieved  from  special  appeals  for  purposes  provided  for  in 
the  weekly  system.  As  a  suggestive  form  of  pledge  for  se- 
curing the  benevolences,  we  recommend  the  form  Xo.  25  under 
Formulas  and  Forms,  page  200. 

115 


116  DISCIPLINE 

7.  For  Those  chiuvhes  that  are  not  prepared  to  introduce 
immediately  such  a  system  of  weekly  or  monthly  offerings, 
we  recommend  the  combining  of  the  various  departments  into 
two  or  three  well-defined  groups  for  adequate  presentation. 
After  proper  emphasis  has  been  given  in  this  w^ay  in  a  year 
or  two,  it  is  hoped  that  every  church  will  be  able  to  combine 
the  entire  benevolent  interests  in  one  weekly  system  of 
offerings. 

8.  We  urge  that  the  bishops,  general  officers,  presiding 
elders,  pastors,  and  official  boards  unite  most  heartily  in 
making  this  campaign  on  Christian  stewardship  and  a  weekly 
system  of  giving  one  of  the  most  prominent  features  of  our 
denominational   work   during  the  next  quadrennium. 

9.  That  the  General  Conference  direct  the  general  de- 
partments, including  the  Home  Missionary  Society,  the  For- 
eign Missionary  Society,  the  Church  Erection  Society,  the 
Board  of  Education,  the  Board  of  Managers  of  Bonebrake 
Theological  Seminary,  the  Board  of  Control  of  Sunday 
School,  Brotherhood,  and  Young  People's  Work,  the  W^oman's 
Missionary  Association,  and  the  Publishing  House  to  set 
apart  a  sufficient  amount  of  funds  to  properly  promote  such 
a  campaign  of  educating  and  training. 

10.  That  a  department  of  Christian  Stewardship  be  cre- 
ated. That  the  Board  of  Management  consist  of  the  General 
Secretaries  of  the  boards  interested,  the  Manager  of  Bone- 
brake  Seminary,  and  the  Publishing  Agent,  and  said  Board 
shall  have  power  to  employ  a  secretary  for  this  department. 


PART  VI. 

Benevolent  and  Educational  Institutions. 
chapter  xvi. 

•    The  Home  Missionary  Society. 

constitution. 

Article  I. 

This  society  shall  be  called  the  Home  Missionary  Society 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  (the  legal  successor  of  the 
Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the 
L^nited  Brethren  in  Christ  in  its  home  work),  and  is  organ- 
ized for  the  purpose  of  extending  and  establishing  the  work 
of  the  Church  in  the  home  field.  It  shall  also  have  charge 
of  the  general  evangelistic  work  of  the  Church,  employing 
only  representative  men,  and  in  such  fields  as  it  may  select. 

Article  II. 

The  Board  of  Control  shall  consist  of  six  directors  who 
shall  be  elected  by  the  General  Conference,  and  three  direc- 
tors who  shall  be  elected  by  the  trustees  of  the  AVoman's 
Missionary  Association.  The  Board  of  Bishops  and  the 
General  Secretary  of  the  society  shall  be  members  ex  officio. 
A  majority  of  the  members  present  at  any  regular  or  called 
meeting-  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

Article  III. 

ORGANIZATION. 

Immediately  upon  adjournment  of  the  General  Conference, 
a  meeting  of  the  board  shall  be  called  by  the  secretary,  and 
an  organization  effected  for  the  quadrennium  by  electing  a 
president,  vice-president,  and  an  executive  committee.  Six 
members  shall  be  chosen  for  the  executive  committee,  four  by 
the  directors  of  the  Home  Missionary  Society  and  two  by 
the  trustees  of  the  Woman's  Missionary  Association.  Tlie 
General  Secretary  of  the  society  shall  he  a  member  cjc  officio. 


117 


118  DISCIPLINE 

Article   IV. 

DUTIES    OF   OFFICERS. 

1.  President.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  meetings 
of  the  board,  and  shall  have  power,  in  conjunction  with  the 
secretary,  to  call  special  meetings.  In  the  absence  of  the 
president  the  vice-president  shall  take  his  place. 

2.  Secretin- u.  The  general  secretarj^  shall  keep  correct 
minutes  of  all  the  proceedings  of  the  society,  conduct  its 
correspondence,  and  keep  a  record  of  all  bequests,  legacies, 
notes,  and  other  valuable  papers  coming  into  his  possession. 
He  shall  also  make  out  and  publish  an  annual  report  of  the 
work  of  the  society ;  also,  a  quadrennial  report  for  the  Gen- 
eral Conference.  It  shall  be  his  further  duty,  when  prac- 
ticable, to  visit  the  fields  where  the  board  is  giving  aid,  with 
the  view  of  acquainting  himself  and  the  board  with  the 
condition  and  needs  of  the  work.  He  shall  give  himself  to 
the  raising  of  funds  by  visiting  churches,  and  personally 
representing  the  interests  of  the  society.  He  shall  have  the 
privilege  of  one  page  in  the  Religious  Telescope,  subject  to 
the  general  approval  of  the  editor.-  His  salary  shall  be  fixed 
by  the  General  Conference. 

3.  Treasurer.  The  General  Church  Treasurer  shall  hold 
the  funds  of  the  society,  subject  to  the  order  of  the  board. 
The  General  Conference  shall  fix  his  salary.  The  propor- 
tion of  his  salary  to  be  paid  by  this  society  shall  be  paid  by 
the  executive  committee  in  conjunction  with  the  other  boards 
having  the  services  of  said  General  Treasurer. 

Article  V. 

DUTIES   OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CONTROL. 

This  board  shall  hold  annual  meetings,  appoint  an  execu- 
tive committee,  make  by-laws  for  the  better  regulation  of  its 
work,  appropriate  funds  for  current  expenses,  employ  mis- 
sionaries, open  new  missions,  appoint  superintendents  for 
mission  districts,  authorize  or  discontinue  appropriations, 
fill  vacancies  in  its  own  body  and  in  connection  with  one 
or  more  of  the  bishops,  ordain  missionaries  in  its  employ  to 
the  ofiice  of  elder,  provided  such  missionaries  have  taken  the 
course  of  study  required  by  Discipline,  or  its  equivalent.  It 
shall  also  have  power  to  recommend  persons  for  presiding 
elders  in  conferences  where  said  elders  are  supported  in  part 
by  the  board.  , 


THE    HOME    MISSIONARY    SOCIETY  119 

Article   VI. 

BRANCH   SOCIETIES. 

Each  annuai  conference  shall  organize  a  branch  society, 
auxiliary  to  the  Home  Missionary  Society,  consisting  of 
three  members,  naming  one  as  its  secretary,  who  shall  assist 
the  general  secretary  in  developing  interests  in  home  mis- 
sions and  securing  gifts  for  the  society.  It  shall  also  be  the 
duty  of  the  branches  to  hold  home  mission  rallies  in  their 
respective  conferences,  cooperating  with  the  general  society 
in  organizing  home  mission  study  classes  and  the  general 
spread  of  home  mission  information. 

Article  VII. 

FUNDS. 

1.  The  proceeds  of  permanent  funds  hereafter  secured 
shall  be  used  by  the  Home  Board,  unless  the  donors  direct 
otherwise. 

2.  The  Home  Missionary  Society  shall  be  freed  from  any 
or  all  division  of  funds  with  the  conferences  or  any  other 
societies,  and  be  placed  on  the  basis  of  a  direct  appeal.  The 
claims  of  home  missions  shall  be  placed  before  the  members 
of  each  congregation  by  the  pastor,  or  a  committee  appointed 
for  that  purpose,  not  less  frequently  than  once  a  year,  to 
secure  a  definite  contribution  from  all  the  people. 

3.  All  the  funds  contributed  under  the  aforesaid  presenta- 
tion shall  be  thus  forwarded  to  the  conference  treasurer 
within  thirty  days,  and  by  him  to  the  office  of  the  society  at 
Dayton,  Ohio. 

4.  Assessments  made  by  conferences  for  the  purpose  of 
extending  the  work  within  their  bounds  shall  be  designated 
as  "Conference  Church  Extension  Funds,"  thereby  avoiding 
confusion,  and  the  annual  report  of  the  treasurer  shall  have 
an  exhibit  of  this  conference  extension  fund,  as  collected  in 
the  several  annual  conferences. 

5.  Each  of  our  Sunday  schools,  in  its  auxiliary  relation- 
ship to  the  Home  Missionary  Society,  and  the  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Society  of  our  Church,  is  expected  to  observe  a 
monthly  missionary  day,  on  which  a  brief  missionary  exer- 
cise shall  be  rendered  and  a  missionary  offering  taken.  In 
places  where  a  monthly  missionary  day  seems  impracticable 
each  school  shall  be  required  to  observe  such  a  missionary 
day  once  a  quarter.  The  first  and  third  quarters  of  the 
calendar  year  shall  be  devoted  to  the  study  of  foreign  mis- 


120  DISCIPLINE 

.sions.  The  second  and  fourth  quarters  shall  be  devoted  to 
the  study  of  home  missions,  the  offerings  during  these  periods 
to  go  to  the  respective  missionary  societies. 

('».*  The  month  of  November  shall  be  observed  by  all  our 
congregations  as  a  time  of  prayer  and  thanksgiving  for 
missions,  when  pastors  shall  preach  on  the  subject  and  turn 
the  attention  of  the  people  toward  the  extension  of  the 
Master's  kingdom  in  the  home  and  foreign   fields. 

7.  Individuals,  adu'lt  Bible  classes,  Sunday  schools,  Young 
People's  societies,  congregations,  and  conferences  shall  be  en- 
couraged to  support  their  own  representatives  in  important 
mission  fields. 

8.  Special  efforts  shall  be  made  by  the  general  secretary, 
pastors,  and  presiding  elders  to  secure  wills,  bequests,  and 
deeded  properties  for  the  purpose  of  building  up  a  permanent 
fund,  the  interest  only  to  be  used  for  home  missions. 

Article  VIII. 

LOCAL    ORGANIZATION. 

A  missionary  committee  may  be  organized  in  any  local 
church  to  interest  and  enlist  the  entire  membership  of  the 
local  church  in  the  work  of  both  home  and  foreign  missions, 
and  devise  such  methods  and  measures  as  shall  develop  the 
church  into  a  strong  missionary  agencJ^ 

Article  IX. 

MISSION  DISTRICTS. 

A  mission  district  shall  consist  of  three  or  more  fields  of 
labor  outside  the  bounds  of  an  annual  conference.  The  reg- 
ular sessions  of  its  ministers  and  lay  delegates  shall  be  pre- 
sided over  by  a  bishop  or  an  elder  appointed  by  the  board. 
At  these  meetings  the  regular  business  of  an  annual  confer- 
ence may  be  transacted,  except  that  the  superintendent  shall 
be  appointed  by  the  board. 

Article  X. 

UNOCCUPIED   TERRITORY. 

The  Home  Mission  Board  may  operate  in  any  territory 
within  the  bounds  of  an  annual  conference  not  occupied  by 
said  conference,  and  by  consent  of  the  same. 

*This  paragraph  applies  alike  to  the  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety. 


THE    HOME    MISSIONARY    SOCIETY  121 

Article  XI. 

MISSIONARIES. 

•  Every  missionary  in  the  board's  employ  shall  report  to  the 
general  secretary  monthly  respecting  the  condition  of  his 
charge ;  and  no  missionary  shall  be  entitled  to  his  salary  if 
he  neglects  this  requirement,  or  leaves  his  field  without  the 
consent  of  the  board  or  his  presiding  elder.  A  similar 
quarterly  report  is  also  required  of  presiding  elders  em- 
ployed by  the  board. 

Article  XII. 

The  secretary  shall  arrange  for  the  selection  of  an  appro- 
priate text-book  upon  the  present  great  social  questions  at 
least  twice  during  the  quadrennium  for  the  use  of  classes  in 
Young  People's  societies  and  churches. 

Article  XIII. 

THE    RELATION    OF    THE    MINISTRY    TO    HOME    MISSIONS. 

1.  Every  pastor  in  charge  of  a  field  of  labor  shall  seek 
to  organize  and  train  the  membership  of  his  charge  to  be- 
come an  efiicient  force  in  the  extension  of  our  missionary 
work  in  the  home  field,  by  the  organization  of  home  mission 
study  classes,  the  introduction  of  mission  training  in  the 
Sunday  school  and  the  promotion  of  the  laymen's  missionary 
movement,  which  is  to  be  both  home  and  foreign  in  its  edu- 
cational and  benevolent  work.  He  shall  strive  earnestly  to 
get  every  member  of  the  Church  to  give  systematically  to 
home  missions  and  report  the  offerings  for  this  cause  quar- 
terly to  the  conference  treasurer  of  home  missions. 

2.  The  bishops  of  the  Church  and  the  conference  super- 
intendents or  presiding  elders  shall  promote  home  missions 
by  sermons,  and  addresses,  and  by  careful  inquiry  concerning 
the  work  being  done  on  the  various  charges  for  this  cause ; 
and  they  shall  seek  to  develop  the  missionary  spirit  by  aiding 
the  missionary  institutes  and  in  the  widespread  study  of 
home  missions. 

3.  The  bishops  shall  visit  new  and  promising  openings, 
especially  in  the  cities  and  large  towns,  and  give  personal 
direction  in  establishing  missions  within  the  bounds  of  their 
distri<_-ts. 


122  DISCIPLINE 

Article  XIV. 

ANNUAL    CONFERENCE    TREASURER. 

Each  annual  conference  shall  elect  a  treasurer  of  home 
missionary  funds  who  shall  report  quarterly  the  amount  re- 
ceived for  this  cause  to  the  general  secretary  at  Dayton, 
Ohio,  who  shall  make  record  thereof  and  receipt  for  the 
same. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

The  Foreign  Missionary  Society. 

constitution. 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

This  society  shall  be  called  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  (the  legal  successor  of  the 
Home, ,  Frontier,  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ  in  its  foreign  work). 

Article  II. 

FUNCTIONS. 

This  society  is  organized  for  the  purpose  of  extending  the 
knowledge  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  throughout  the  earth  by 
the  utilization  of  the  resources  of  the  Church.  Said  society 
shall,  through  its  distributed  activities,  promote  an  interest 
in  foreign  missions  by  approved  methods  in  the  home 
churches,  Sunday  schools,  and  Young  People's  societies.  It 
shall  disseminate  information  touching  mission  fields,  it  shall 
appoint,  commission,  and  send  forth  missionaries,  and  con- 
duct any  and  all  work  that  properly  devolves  upon  such  a 
society. 

Article  III. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

Every  person,  by  virtue  of  becoming  a  member  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  is  a  member  of 
the  Foreign  Missionary  Society. 

Article  IV. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The  organization  of  the  society  shall  consist  of  a  board 
of  directors,  an  executive  committee,  an  annual  conference 
blanch  society,  and  a  committee  in  every  local  church. 

Article  V. 

DIRECTORS   AND  THEIR   DUTIES. 

1.  The  board  of  directors  shall  consist  of  the  bishops  of  the 
Church,   the  general   secretary,   six   directors,   who  shall   be 

123 


124  DISCIPLINE 

elected  by  the  General  Conference,  and  three  directors  who 
shall  be  chosen  by  the  trustees  of  the  Woman's  Missionary 
Association.  A  majority  of  the  members  present  at  any  reg- 
ular or  called  meeting  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

The  officers  of  the  society  shall  consist  of  a  president,  to 
be  elected  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  directors  in  each  quad- 
rennium ;  a  secretary,  Avho  sliall  be  the  general  secretary 
elected  by  General  Conference,  and  a  treasurer,  who  shall 
be  the  General  Church  Treasurer.  The  bishops  of  the 
Church  shall  be  vice-presidents  in  the  order  of  their  senior- 
ity in  office. 

2.  The  board  of  directors  shall  have  charge  of,  and  give 
directions  to  all  the  work  of  the  society.  Tlie  board  of 
directors  shall  hold  a  meeting  once  every  year,  and  upon  the 
request  of  the  executive  committee,  the  president  shall  call 
special  sessions  for  the  transaction  of  important  business. 
The  board  shall  make  by-laws  to  regulate  the  business  of 
the  society ;  receive  and  pass  upon  the  reports  of  the  gen- 
eral secretary,  treasurer,  minutes  of  the  executive  committee, 
and  reports  from  the  foreign  fields ;  make  a  careful  study  of 
the  needs  of  the  work  abroad  and  appropriate  the  money 
necessary  to  carry  forward  the  entire  work  of  the  society  ; 
employ  secretaries  for  the  cultivation  of  the  home  Church  ; 
appoint  foreign  missionaries  and  fill  vacancies  in  its  own 
body  ;  in  connection  with  the  bishops  or  any  one  of  them, 
ordain  missionaries  to  the  office  of  elder,  provided  such  mis- 
sionaries have  taken  the  courses  of  study  specified  by  the 
Discipline,  or  their  equivalent ;  determine  the  aims  and 
methods  to  be  pursued  in  enlisting  the  home  Church  in  the 
extension  of  the  gospel ;  elect  four  members  of  the  executive 
committee,  and  have  the  use  of  one  page  in  the  Religious 
Telescope  each  week,  which  page  shall  be  conducted  by  the 
general  secretary,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  editor. 

Article  VI. 

THE   EXECUTIVE   COMMITTEE   AND   ITS   DUTIES. 

Six  members  shall  'be  chosen  for  the  executive  committee, 
four  by  the  directors  of  the  Foreign  INIissionary  Society,  and 
two  by  the  trustees  of  the  Woman's  Missionary  Association. 
The  general  secretary  of  the  societj^  shall  be  an  ex  officio 
member  of  the  committee.  The  committee  shall  have  charge 
of  all  the  business  of  the  society  between  the  annual  meet- 
ings.     In    the   appointment   of   missionaries,   and   in   making 


THE  FOREIGN   MISSIONARY    SOCIETY  125 

appropriations  not  authorized  by  the  board,  the  committee 
shall,  through  correspondence  or  otherwise,  secure  the  ap- 
proval of  a  majority  of  the  members  of  the  board. 

Article    VII. 

BRANCH    ORGANIZATION. 

Every  annual  conference  shall  organize  a  branch  society, 
auxiliary  to  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  consisting  of 
three  members,  naming  one  as  its  secretary,  who  shall  assist 
the  general  secretary  in  developing  interest  in  foreign  mis- 
sions and  securing  gifts  for  the  society. 

Article  VIII. 

LOCAL    CHURCH    COMMITTEE. 

A  missionary  committee  shall  be  organized  in  every  local 
church  to  interest  and  enlist  the  entire  membership  of  the 
local  church  in  the  work  of  both  home  and  foreign  missions, 
and  devise  such  methods  and  measures  as  shall  develop  the 
Church  into  a  strong  missionary  agency. 

Article  IX. 

DUTIES   OF   THE   GENERAL    SECRETARY. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  general  secretary  to  keep  a  cor- 
rect record  of  the  society,  and  conduct  its  correspondence. 
He  shall  be  the  custodian  of  all  its  legal  papers.  He  shall 
promote  the  dissemination  of  missionary  information  through- 
out the  Church  by  tracts,  books,  and  other  publications ; 
through  conventions,  rallies,  and  institutes  he  shall  endeavor 
to  create  a  missionary  atmosphere ;  direct  the  organization  of 
mission  study  classes ;  introduce  missionary  instruction  in 
the  Sabbath  school ;  assist  the  Sabbath-school  superintend- 
ent ;  the  president  of  the  Young  People's  Society,  and  the 
pastor  to  introduce  a  regular  system  of  giving  to  missions. 

He  shall  diligently  study  the  administrative  problem  of 
the  work  abroad,  so  as  to  employ  such  agencies  as  shall  lead 
to  the  speedy  development  of  a  strong,  native  Church. 

The  general  secretary  shall  prepare  and  publish  an  annual 
report  of  the  work  of  the  society,  and  a  quadrennial  report 
to  the  General  Conference.  He  shall  exercise  diligence  to 
discover  and  encourage  those  whom  the  Holy  Spirit  has 
called  to  foreign  missionary  work,  and  shall  bring  them  to 
the  attention  of  the  society  and  the  executive  committee  for 
appointment.     He  shall  call  meetings  of  the  executive  com- 


126  DISCIPLINE 

mittee  to  transact  business.     His  salary  shall  be  determined 
by  the  General  Conference. 

Article  X. 

THE   TREASURER    AND    HIS    DUTIES. 

The  General  Church  Treasurer,  elected  by  the  General 
Conference,  shall  hold  all  funds  of  the  society  subject  to  the 
order  of  the  board  or  executive  committee.  His  salarj'  shall 
be  fixed  by  the  General  Conference  and  the  proportion  of 
same  to  be  paid  by  this  board  shall  be  determined  by  the 
executive  committee,  in  conjunction  with  the  other  boards 
having  his  services ;  he  shall  make  an  annual  report  to  the 
board,  and  a  quadrennial  report  to  the  General  Conference. 

Article   XL 

THE    RELATION    OF    THE   MINISTRY   TO    FOREIGN    MISSIONS. 

1.  Every  pastor  in  charge  of  a  field  of  labor  shall  seek  to 
organize  and  train  the  membership  of  his  charge  to  become 
an  eflicient  force  in  the  world-w^ide  extension  of  the  gospel, 
by  the  organization  of  foreign  mission  study  classes,  the  in- 
troduction of  mission  training  in  the  Sunday  school,  and  the 
promotion  of  the  laymen's  missionary  movement.  He  shall 
strive  earnestly  to  get  every  member  of  the  Church  to  give 
systematically  to  foreign  missions,  and  report  the  offerings 
for  this  cause  quarterly  to  the  conference  treasurer  of  for- 
eign missions.  Churches,  Sunday  schools,  and  Young  Peo- 
ple's societies  shall  be  encouraged  to  support  foreign  parishes, 
and  share  in  the  work  of  foreign  mission  stations. 

2.  The  bishops  of  the  Church  and  the  conference  superin- 
tendents or  presiding  elders,  shall  promote  foreign  missions 
by  sermons  and  addresses  and  by  careful  inquiry  concerning 
the  work  being  done  on  the  various  charges  for  this  cause  ; 
and  they  shall  seek  to  develop  the  missionary  spirit  by  aid- 
ing in  missionary  institutes  and  in  the  wide-spread  study  of 
foreign  missions. 

Article  XII. 

ANNUAL  CONFERENCE  TREASURER. 

Every  annual  conference  shall  elect  a  treasurer  of  foreign 
missionary  funds,  who  shall  report  quarterly  the  amount  re- 
ceived for  this  cause  to  the  general  secretary  at  Dayton, 
Ohio,  who  shall  make  record  thereof  and  receipt  for  the 
same. 


THE  FOREIGN   MISSIONARY   SOCIETY  127 

Article  XIII. 

MISSIONS    IN    THE    SUNDAY    SCHOOL. 

P^very  Sunday  school,  in  its  auxiliary  relationship  to  the 
Home  Missionary  Society  and  the  Foreign  Missionary 
Society  of  our  Church,  is  expected  to  observe  a  monthly 
missionary  day,  on  which  a  brief  missionary  exercise  shall  be 
rendered  and  a  missionary  offering  taken.  In  places  where 
a  monthly  missionary  day  seems  impracticable,  every  school 
shall  be  required  to  observe  such  a  missionary  day  once  a 
quarter. 

The  first  and  third  quarters  of  the  calendar  year  shall  be 
devoted  to  the  study  of  foreign  missions ;  the  second  and 
fourth  quarters  to  the  study  of  home  missions,  the  offer- 
ings during  these  periods  to  go  to  the  respective  missionary 
societies. 

Article  XIV. 

A   FOREIGN    MISSION   DISTRICT. 

A  foreign  mission  district  shall  consist  of  the  missionaries 
under  the  direction  of  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  hold- 
ing proper  credentials ;  and  such  native  workers  as  are  asso- 
ciated with  them,  located  in  a  specified  field  and  organized 
to  do  mission  work.  Said  mission  district  shall  hold  annual 
sessions,  to  be  presided  over  by  a  bishop  or  the  mission  super- 
intendent, and  in  the  absence  of  both,  the  said  district  shall 
elect  its  own  chairman.  At  its  annual  meeting  the  fields  of 
labor  shall  be  fixed  ;  the  character  of  its  members  examined ; 
preachers  received,  and  passed  in  their  course  of  reading,  and 
be  ordained. 

Article  XV. 

SUPERINTENDENTS. 

\\'lieu  a  foreign  mission  district  is  established,  the  mission 
board  having  supervision  of  the  same  shall  appoint  a  mis- 
sion superintendent,  for  a  term  adapted  to  the  needs  of  the 
field,  or  to  be  terminated  at  the  pleasure  of  the  board. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  mission  superintendent,  under 
the  direction  of  the  board,  to  arrange  the  work  and  take 
general  supervision  of  the  entire  mission  district  or  confer- 
ence. He  shall  report  quarterly  the  financial  condition  of 
the  mission,  and  from  time  to  time  represent  the  state  of 
the  work  and  its  needs  to  the  general  secretary  of  the  mis- 
sion board  having  sui)ervision  of  the  sanie. 


128  DISCIPLINE 

When  expedient,  a  general  superintendent  may  be  ap- 
pointed over  two  or  more  foreign  mission  districts  or  confer- 
ences. He  shall  advise  with,  aid  the  mission  superintendents, 
and  perform  such  other  duties  as  shall  be  determined  by  the 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions. 

Article  XV I. 

All  missionaries  employed  by  the  board  shall  be  furnished 
with  credentials  of  their  appointment,  and  be  subject  to 
the  boards  in  regard  to  their  term  of  service,  salary,  and 
the  time  and  length  of  furlough.  They  shall  report  quar- 
terly the  conditon  and  progress  of  their  work  to  the  mission 
superintendent ;  and  they  shall  also  make  an  annual  report 
to  the  general  secretary  of  the  Mission  Board,  a  copy  of 
w'hich  shall  be  filed  with  the  superintendent. 

Article  XV 11. 

THE    MISSION    COUNCIL. 

There  shall  be  a  mission  council  in  each  foreign  mission 
district  or  conference,  composed  of  all  foreign  missionaries 
employed  by  the  board  in  such  district  or  conference.  Said 
council  shall  be  the  cabinet  of  the  mission  superintendent, 
provided,  how^ever,  that  in  matters  of  difference  between  the 
superintendent  and  the  cabinet,  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  said 
mission  council  shall  determine  the  course  to  be  pursued, 
except  in  matters  of  interpretation  of  the  policy  of  the 
board.  Missionaries  shall  be  eligible  to  voting  privileges  in 
the  council  only  after  one  year's  residence  in  the  mission 
field.  The  mission  superintendent  shall  be  chairman  of  the 
mission  council,  and  also  treasurer  of  the  mission  funds, 
unless  other  provision  is  made  by  the  board. 

The  mission  council  shall  convene  once  a  year,  and  oftener 
if  practicable,  and  receive  reports  of  missionaries  in  charge 
of  districts,  stations  or  departments  of  work.  It  shall  co- 
operate with  the  mission  superintendent  in  the  general  super- 
vision of  the  work,  by  committee  or  otherwise,  especially 
with  reference  to  the  division  of  the  missionaries'  w^ork,  the 
budget,  and  the  administration  of  the  mission  funds. 

Article  XVIII. 

A    FOREIGN    MISSION    CONFERENCE. 

A  foreign  mission  district  may  be  constituted  a  foreign 
mission    conference   by   the    General    Conference,    or   in    the 


THE    FOREIGN    MISSTOXARY    SOCIETY  129 

interim,  by  the  Board  of  Bishops,  upon  the  recommendation 
of  the  Mission  Board. 

All  foreign  missionaries,  bearing  proper  credentials  from 
the  Mission  Board,  ordained  native  ministers,  licentiates,  and 
one  lay  delegate  from  each  charge,  developing  self-support 
according  to  the  system  adopted  by  the  conference,  may  be 
members  of  the  foreign  mission  conference. 

Other  workers  employed  may  become  advisory  members, 
upon  approval  of  the  conference.  Said  foreign  mission  con- 
ference shall  be  pvesided  over  by  a  bishop  or  in  his  absence 
by  the  mission  superintendent.  In  the  absence  of  both  the 
bishop  and  the  mission  superintendent,  the  conference  shall 
elect  its  own  chairman. 

The  presiding  officer  shall  appoint  a  stationing  committee, 
of  which  he  shall  be  chairman,  and  he  shall  likewise  appoint 
all  standing  committees. 

Article  XIX. 

THE  POWERS  AND  DUTIES  OF  A  FOREIGN  MISSION   CONFERENCE. 

A  foreign  mission  conference  shall  have  power  similar  to 
an  annual  conference,  subject  to  regulations  of  the  Mission 
Board.  It  shall"  revise,  year  by  year,  the  list  of  itinerants, 
except  those  who  hold  membership  in  American  conferences, 
and  report  the  same  to  the  Agent  of  the  Publishing  House, 
and  compile  other  statistics  of  its  work,  as  nearly  as  possible 
in  harmony  with  the  Church  in  general,  having  in  mind  the 
requirements  of  general  missionary  reports. 

REPRESENTATION. 

A  foreign  mission  conference  shall  be  entitled  to  repre- 
sentation in  the  General  Conference  as  follows : 

1.  When  a  foreign  mission  conference  has  one  thousand 
communicant  members,  ten  duly  licensed  native  preachers 
and  five  charges  which  have  attained  full  self-support,  and 
five  charges  which  have  reached  seventy-five  per  cent,  of  self- 
support,  it  shall  have  representation  in  the  General  Con- 
ference in  the  same  ratio  as  regular  annual  conferences,  the 
delegates  to  be  elected  in  the  usual  way,  and  the  foreign  mis- 
sion conference  shall  pay  the  assessment  for  General  Confer- 
ence expenses. 

2.  Until  the  foreign  mission  conference  has  the  degree  of 
strength  specified  in  Section  1  of  this  article,  it  shall  be  rep- 
resented in  the  General  Conference  by  one  delegate,  who  shall 


130  DISCIPLINE 

be  elected  by  the  Foreign  Mission  Board ;  and  the  said  board 
shall  pay  the  assessment  for  General  Conference  expenses. 

Article  XX. 

COURSE  OF  MINISTERIAL   STUDY   AND   RULES. 

A  mission  conference  employing  other  than  the  English 
or  German  languages  shall  have  power  to  make  its  own 
course  of  ministerial  study,  as  nearly  as  practicable  an 
equivalent  of  the  English  course.  General  efficiency  and 
practical  experience,  as  well  as  moral  fitpess,  shall  be  con- 
sidered in  recommending  candidates  for  ordination.  It  may 
enact  necessary  rules  for  its  own  government  in  harmony 
with  the  Book  of  Discipline,  and  the  regulations  of  the 
Mission  Board, 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

The  Woman's  Missionary  Association. 

articles  of  incorporation. 

].     The  name  by  which  this  corporation  shall  be  known 

is    '"The    Woman's    Missionary    Association    of    the    United 

r-i'e!hren   in   Christ,"    and   the   said   corporation    is    not   for 

proi'it. 

12.  Ihe  principal  business  of  the  said  corporatiou  is  to 
bo  transacted  in  the  city  of  Dayton,  county  of  Montgomery. 
State  of  Ohio. 

3.  Said  corporation  is  formed  for  the  purpose  of  engaging 
and  uniting  the  efforts  of  women  in  sending  missionaries  into 
all  the  world,  and  supporting  said  missionaries  and  other 
laborers  in  said  mission  fields,  and  of  securing  by  gift,  be- 
quest, and  otherwise,  the  funds  necessary  for  the  pui*poses 
aforesaid. 

4.  Said  corporation  is  to  have  no  capital  stock. 

CONSTITUTION. 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

This  association  shall  be  known  as  "The  Woman's  Mis- 
sionary Association  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,"  ac- 
cording to  its  Articles  of  Incorporation,  under  the  laws  of 
the  State  of  Ohio. 

Its  general  offices  shall  be  located  at  Dayton.  Ohio. 

Article  II. 

PURPOSES    AND    FUNCTIONS. 

This  association  is  for  the  purpose  of  engaging  and  uniting 
the  efforts  of  the  women,  the  young  women,  and  the  Junior 
■Christian  Endeavorers  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ  in  helping  to  send  and  support  missionaries  in 
both  the  foreign  and  the  home  fields,  to  assist  in  the  carry- 
ing forward  of  the  work  in  said  fields,  and  of  securing  by 
gift,  bequest,  and  otherwise,  the  funds  necessary  to  aid  such 
jnissionary  operations.  This  association  shall  work  in  co- 
rn 


132  DISCIPLINE 

operation  with  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society  and  the  Home 
Missionary  Society  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  upon 
whose  boards  and  executive  committees  it  shall  have  one- 
third  representation.  It  shall  disseminate  among  the  women, 
young  women,  and  the  Junior  Christian  Endeavorers  of  the 
Church,  literature,  and  information  concerning  the  needs  of 
the  mission  fields  where  operating,  and  conduct  any  and 
all  other  work  that  usually  belongs  to  such  an  organization. 
It  is  empowered  by  its  articles  of  incorporation  to  receive 
Ijy  gift,  bequest,  or  purchase,  real  and  personal  property, 
and  hold  the  same  for  the  uses  and  purposes  of  said  asso- 
ciation, the  same  as  any  other  corporation  of  like  character. 

Article   III. 

RELATION    TO    THE    CHURCH. 

This  association  shall  work  under  the  direction  of  the 
General  Conference  of  said  Church,  to  which  the  general 
secretary  shall  submit  quadrennial  reports. 

Article  IV. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

The  annual  dues  for  membership  in  said  association  shall 
be  $1.00. 

The  paj^ment  of  $10.00  at  one  time,  or  by  installments 
within  five  years,  shall  constitute  a  life  membership. 

The  payment  of  $25.00  at  one  time,  or  by  installments 
within  five  years,  shall  constitute  a  life  directorship. 

The  payment  of  $100.00  at  one  time,  or  by  installments 
within  five  years,  shall  constitute  a  life  patronship. 

A  certificate  is  given  at  the  time  of  payment  in  full,  but 
this  certificate  does  not  exempt  from  annual  dues. 

Life  patrons  shall  have  all  the  privileges  of  full  members 
of  the  board  of  managers ;  life  directors  shall  be  advisory 
members  of  the  same.  Life  patrons  and  life  directors  shall 
have  privileges  of  full  members,  and  life  members  shall  be 
advisory  members  of  the  branch  within  whose  bounds  they 
reside. 

Article  V. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The  organization  of  this  association  shall  consist  of  a 
board  of  managers,  conference  branch,  and  local  societies  and 


woman's  missionary  society  133 

bands,  to  be  organized  under  the  constitution  for  each,  hereto 
attached. 

Article   VI. 

BOARD  OF   MANAGERS. 

The  board  of  managers  shall  consist  of  the  board  of 
trustees,  the  life  patrons,  and  three  delegates  from  each 
branch  society,  who  shall  be  elected  at  the  branch  annual 
meeting  preceding  the  meeting  of  the  board. 

Said  board  shall  meet  annually  at  such  time  and  place  as 
shall  be  designated. 

Article   VI I. 

BOARD    OF    TRUSTEES. 

The  board  of  trustees  shall  consist  of  nine  members,  who 
shall  be  elected  by  ballot  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the  board 
of  managers,  six  of  whom  shall  be  residents  of  Dayton.  Ohio, 
or  vicinity. 

Article  VIII. 

DUTIES  OF  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES. 

The  board  of  trustees  so  elected  shall  assemble  befoi-e 
the  close  of  the  annual  meeting  of  the  board  of  managers 
and  organize  by  the  election  of  all  the  officers  provided  for  in 
Article  IX. 

It  shall  choose  from  its  number  the  necessary  representa- 
tion upon  the  boards  and  executive  committees  of  the  For- 
eign and  the  Home  ^Missionary  societies. 

It  shall  appropriate  funds  of  the  association  as  the  inter- 
ests of  the  same  may  demand,  and  attend  to  the  administra- 
tion of  the  affairs  of  the  association. 

Article  IX. 

OFFICERS. 

The  officers  of  the  association  shall  consist  of  a  president, 
three  vice-presidents,  a  general  secretary,  a  recording  secre- 
tary, a  treasurer,  and  a  chairman  of  the  board  of  trustees, 
all  to  be  elected  by  the  board  of  trustees,  as  provided  for  in 
Article  ^TII.  The  offices  of  general  secretary  and  treasurer 
may  be  held  by  one  person. 


134  DISCIPLINE 

Article  X. 

DUTIES    OF   OFFICERS. 

1.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the 
board  of  managers,  and  shall  have  general  oversight  of  the 
work  during  the  year. 

In  the  absence  of  the  president,  one  of  the  vice-presidents 
shall  assume  her  duties,  and  in  case  no  vice-president  is 
present,  a  president  pro  tern,  shall  be  elected. 

2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  general  secretary  under 
the  supenision  of  the  board  of  trustees,  to  attend  to  all  of 
the  business  connected  with  the  association,  donations,  keep 
all  documents  pertaining  to  the  association,  attend  to  all 
correspondence.  She  shall  submit  annual  reports  to  the 
board  of  managers,  to  the  Foreign  and  the  Home  Missionary 
societies,  and  a  quadrennial  report  to  the  General  Confer- 
ence, She  shall  have  power  to  call  special  meetings  of  the 
board  of  trustees. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  recording  secretary  to  keep 
minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the  annual  meeting  of  the 
board  of  managers,  and  of  the  regular  and  called  meetings 
of  the  board  of  trustees. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasurer  to  receive  all 
funds  coming  into  the  association,  and  transmit  the  same  to 
the  General  Church  Ti-easurer,  by  whom  they  are  to  be 
disbursed  for  work  in  the  foreign  and  the  home  fields  on 
orders  of  the  executive  committees  of  the  respective  societies. 
The  administration  expenses  of  the  Woman's  Missionary  As- 
sociation shall  be  under  the  exclusive  control  of  the  board 
of  trustees ;  said  expenses  to  be  met  by  the  General  Church 
Treasurer,  on  orders  from  the  treasurer  of  the  Woman's 
Missionary  Association. 

5.  The  chairman  of  the  board  of  trustees  shall  preside 
at  all  meetings  of  the  trustees,  and  in  her  absence,  a  tempo- 
rary chairman  shall  be  elected. 

Article  XI. 

SPECIAL  FUNDS. 

All  donations,  bequests,  and  funds  contributed  to  any 
special  object  of  the  association,  shall  be  held  sacred  to  the 
uses  and  purposes  intended  by  the  donor. 


woman's  missionary  society  135 

Article  XII. 

DEPARTMENT    OF    LITERATURE. 

1.  The  object  of  this  department  is  fully  to  inform  the 
women  of  the  Church  on  the  subject  of  missions,  and  thus 
stimulate  them  to  greater  efforts.  Its  oflBce  is  to  encourage 
the  use  of  missionary  literature  and  to  increase  the  circula- 
tion of  the  Woman's  Evangel,  missionary  leaflets,  and  mis- 
sionary books  in  the  study  course, 

2.  The  officei's  of  this  department  shall  be  the  general 
literature  committee,  branch  secretaries  of  literature,  and 
local  secretaries  of  literature.  The  head  of  the  department 
shall  be  the  general  literature  committee.  This  shall  be  com- 
posed of  three  members,  the  department  secretary,  who  shall 
be  elected  by  the  board  of  managers,  the  editor  of  the  Evan- 
gel, and  a  third  member  who  shall  be  appointed  'bj'  the  board 
of  trustees.  This  committee  shall  choose  a  chairman  and  a 
treasurer. 

3.  This  committee  shall  plan  the  work  of  the  department, 
provide  all  the  literature  and  helps  of  the  Woman's  Mission- 
ary Association  except  the  Woman's  Evangel.  Tlirough  the 
department  secretary  of  literature,  this  committee  shall  send 
out  plans  and  suggestions  to  branch  secretaries  of  literature, 
assist  in  developing  the  work  in  the  branches,  and  make  an 
annual  report  to  the  board  of  managers.  All  money  received 
from  the  sale  of  literature  shall  be  retained  by  the  general 
committee  for  the  maintenance  of  the  work.  When  neces- 
sary, an  appropriation  shall  be  granted  them  from  the  sur- 
plus Evangel  fund. 

Article  XIII. 

DEPARTMENT    OF    YOUNG    WOMEN. 

1.  The  object  of  this  department  shall  be  to  enlist  the 
young  w^omen  in  the  cause  of  missions,  to  lead  them  to 
personal  consecration,  and  to  raise  funds  for  missionary 
work. 

2.  The  head  of  this  department  shall  be  a  secretary  who 
shall  be  elected  by  the  board  of  managers. 

3.  The  secretary  shall  send  out  plans  and  suggestions  to 
branch  secretaries  of  young  women,  aid  in  developing  the 
work  in  the  branches,  conduct  the  Young  Woman's  Depart- 
ment in  the  Evangel,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  editor. 
She  shall  make  an  annual  report  to  the  board  of  managers. 


130  DISCIPLINE 

Article  XIV. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  JUNIOR  CHRISTIAN  ENDEAVOR. 

1.  The  purpose  of  this  department  shall  'be  to  educate  the 
children  in  missionarj'  work,  and  to  train  them  in  definite 
praj'er,  and  systematic  giving  for  missions. 

2.  The  head  of  this  department  shall  be  a  secretary  who 
shall  be  elected  by  the  board  of  managers. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  send  out  plans 
and  suggestions  to  Junior  missionary  superintendents,  and 
develop  the  work  of  this  department,  and  she  shall  work  in 
harmony  with  the  general  superintendent  of  Junior  Chris- 
tian Endeavor.  She  shall  prepare  programs  for  the  monthly 
missionary  meetings,  have  charge  of  the  Junior  department 
in  the  Evangel,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  editor.  She 
shall  make  an  annual  report  to  the  board  of  managers. 

Article  XV. 

METHOD  OF  AMENDMENT. 

This  constitution  may  be  altered  or  amended  at  any  an- 
nual meeting  of  the  board  of  managers,  by  a  vote  of  two- 
thirds  of  the  members  present. 

BRANCH    CONSTITUTION. 

Article  I. 

This  society  shall  be  called  the   

Conference  Branch  of  the  Woman's  Missionary  Association 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

Article  II. 
The  object  of  this  society  is  to  awaken  an  interest  among 
women,   young   women,    and   the   Junior   Christian    Endeav- 
orers  in  behalf  of  Christian  missions,  and  to  raise  funds  for 
their  support. 

Article  III. 
The  membership  of  this  society  shall  consist  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  association  within  the  limits  of  this  conference 
district. 

Article  IV. 
1.     The  officers  of  this  society  shall  be  a  president,  two 
vice-presidents,  a  secretary,  a  treasurer,  a  secretary  of  liter- 
ature,  and   a   secretary   of   young   women,   who   shall   consti- 


woman's  missionary  society  137 

tnte  an  executive  committee  to  supervise  the  entire  work  of 
the  association  within  the  conference  district.  It  sliall  be 
their  duty  to  make  earnest  efforts  to  secure  tlie  organization 
of  local  societies  in  all  the  lUiited  Brethren  congregations 
within  the  bounds  of  the  conference. 

2.  The  duties  of  the  president  shall  be  those  usual  to  the 
office. 

o.  In  the  absence  of  the  president,  the  vice-president  shall 
assume  her  duties. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  of  this  society  to 
keep  a  correct  record  of  its  proceedings,  and  the  proceedings 
of  the  executive  committee,  and  submit  an  annual  report  to 
the  general  secretary  of  the  board  of  managers  not  less  than 
ten  days  before  the  annual  meeting  of  the  board. 

5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasurer  to  receive  and 
hold  the  funds  of  the  society,  and  tiausmit  the  same  quar- 
terly to  the  treasurer  of  the  board,  the  last  remittance  to 
be  sent  in  not  less  than  ten  days  before  the  meeting  of  the 
board  of  managers. 

All  moneys  given  by  any  woman's  organization  for  either 
foreign  or  home  missions  shall  be  sent  to  the  branch  treas- 
urer. 

The  branch  treasurer  shall  submit  quarterly  reports  to  the 
conference  foreign  and  home  missionary'  treasurers  in  order 
that  the  charge  may  have  due  credit  in  the  missionary  stan- 
dards as  adopted  by  the  missionary  boards. 

6.  The  branch  secretary  of  literatuie  shall  have  over- 
sight of  tlip  work  in  her  department.  She  shall  select  and 
secure  missionary  literature  and  helps  for  sale  during  the 
year,  and  supply  the  sales  table  which  she  shall  conduct  at 
the  branch  meeting.  She  shall  see  by  correspondence,  that 
a  secretary-  of  literature  is  established  in  each  local,  and 
plan  for  the  extension  of  the  work.  She  shall  increase  the 
circulation  of  the  Woman's  Evangel,  endeavor  to  obtain  a 
wider  reading  of  missionary  leaflets,  and  urge  the  use  of  the 
books  of  the  mission  study  course.  She  shall  keep  .a  record 
of  the  work  of  the  literature  department  in  the  locals,  make 
annual  reports  to  the  branch,  and  to  the  department  secre- 
tary of  literature. 

7.  The  branch  secretary  of  young  women  shall  develop 
the  work  of  this  deijartment  in  her  branch.  She  shall  make 
quarterly  reports  to  the  branch  secretary  in  an  annual  re- 
port to  the  secretary  of  the  young  woman's  department. 


138  UISCIPLINE 

Article  V. 
This  society  shall  hold  annual  meetings  to  elect  its  officers 
and  members  of  the  board  of  managers,  and  to  transact  any 
business  pertaining  to  its  work.  Its  members  shall  consist 
of  the  officers  and  three  delegates  from  each  local  society, 
two  delegates  from  each  Young  Woman's  Band,  two  dele- 
gates from  each  Junior  Christian  Endeavor  Society,  the  life 
patrons  and  life  directors  of  said  branch.  The  life  members 
of  the  ibranch  shall  be  advisory  members. 

Article  VI. 

This  society  shall  provide  for  the  expenses  of  its  delegates 
to  the  annual  meeting  of  the  board  of  managers  by  a  con- 
tingent fund  derived  from  the  locals  within  the  branch. 

LOCAL    CONSTITUTION 

Article  I. 

This  society  shall  be  called  the Ijocal 

Society  of    Branch    Society   of   the 

Woman's  Missionary  Association  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ.  Any  woman  may  become  a  member  of  the  same  by 
consenting  to  the  constitution  of  said  association. 

Article  II. 
The  officers  of  this  society  shall  consist  of  a  president,  two 
vice-presidents,  a  secretary,  a  treasurer,  a  secretary  of  liter- 
ature, and  two  or  more  collectors. 

Article   III. 

1.  The  duties  of  the  president  shall  be  those  usual  to  the 
office. 

2.  In  the  absence  of  the  president,  the  vice-president  shall 
assume  her  duties. 

.*).  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  keep  a  record 
of  the  proceedings  of  each  meeting,  the  name  of  the  members, 
the  life  members,  life  directors,  and  life  patrons,  and  report 
quarterly  to  the  secretary  of  the  branch  society. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasurer  to  hold  all  mon- 
eys of  the  society  and  transmit  quarterly  all  funds  except 
the  local  contingent,  to  the  treasurer  of  the  branch  society. 

5.  The  local  secretary  of  literature  shall  keep  the  society 
informed  as  to  the  best  missionary  literature  and  urge  the 
purchase   of  sufficient  quantity   to   supply   the  needs   of  the 


woman's  missionary  society  139 

society.  She  shall  secure  and  maiutain  the  largest  number 
of  Evangel  subscriptions  possible,  and  urge  the  use  of  the 
mission  study  course.  She  shall  keep  in  touch  and  work  in 
harmony  with  the  plans  of  the  branch  secretary  of  literature, 
and  report  to  her  at  least  annually. 

6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  collectors  to  visit  members 
of  the  church  and  solicit  names,  collect  quarterly  dues,  and 
report  the  number  of  \isits  aud  amount  collected,  at  each 
(juarterly  meeting. 

Article   IV. 

1.  Any  young  woman  may  b.ecome  a  member  of  this 
society  by  the  payment  of  five  cents  per  month. 

2.  Any  child  may  become  a  member  by  the  payment  of 
two  cents  per  month. 

Article  ^\ 
This  society  shall   nipet  quarterly   for  business,   and   shall 
arrange  its  year  with  reference  to  the  annual  meeting  of  the 
branch  society. 

Article  17. 

This  society  shall  appoint  a  missionary  superintendent  of 
Junior  Christian  Endeavor,  who  shall  have  charge  of  this 
department  of  said  society,  hold  the  missionary  funds,  and 
report  quarterly  to  the  treasurer  of  the  loc  al  society. 

Article  YIL 

Any  man  may  become  an  honorary  member  by  the  pay- 
ment of  regular  dues. 

constitution    for    YOl'NG    WOMEN'S    MISSION    BANDS. 

Article  I. 
This   socit'ly   shall   be  called   the   Young   Women's   Mission 
Band  of 


Article  II. 
The  object  of  this  society  shall  be  to  enlist  young  women 
in  the  cause  of  missions,  to  lead  them  to  personal  consecra- 
tion, and  to  raise  funds  for  the  Woman's  Missionary  Asso- 
ciation. 


1'40  DISCIPLIINE 

Article  III. 
Any  young  woman  may  become  a  member  of  this  society 
by  the  payment  of  five  cents  per  month. 

Article  IV. 
The  officers  of  this  society  shall  be  a  president,  two  vice- 
presidents,  a  secretary,  a  treasurer,  a  secretary  of  literature, 
and  two  or  more  collectors. 

Article  V. 
The  president  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  and  have  gen- 
eral oversight  of  the  society. 

Article  VI. 
The  vice-presidents  shall  act  in  their  order  in  the  absence 
of  the  president. 

Article  VII. 

Tlie  secretary  shall  keep  a  recoi'd  of  members  ;  keep  min- 
utes of  each  meeting,  and  give  notice  of  meetings.  She  shall 
send  qnartei'ly  reports,  also  an  annual  report,  with  the 
names  of  the  officers,  to  the  branch  secretary  of  Young 
Women. 

Article  VIII. 
The  treasurer  shall  receive  all  funds  and  render  a  report 
each  month.     She  shall  transmit  all  moneys  quarterly  except 
the  local  contingent,  to  the  branch  treasurer. 

BY-LAWS. 

1.  This  baud  shall  hold  regular  meetings  once  a  month. 
The  annual  meeting  shall  be  in  March,  so  as  to  send  re- 
ports through  branch  officers  to  the  board  of  managers.  At 
this  meeting,  officers  shall  be  elected  for  the  ensuing  j'ear 
and  annual  reports  be  read. 

2.  Tliis  band  shall  be  entitled  to'  two  delegates  to  the 
branch  meeting,  who  shall  be  elected  at  the  meeting  preceding 
the  branch  meeting. 

3.  By  young  women,  is  meant,  women  above  fifteen  years. 

4.  Any  young  man  may  become  an  honorary  member  by 
the  payment  of  regular  dues. 

These  by-laws  may  be  supplemented  according  to  local 
needs. 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

Women's  Aid  Society. 

constitution. 

Article  I. 

ORGANIZATION. 

When  at  any  time  an  opportunity  presents  itself  for  the 
organization  of  a  siifKcient  number  of  women  (who  are 
members  or  friends  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ)  into  a  society  for  mutual  aid  in  promoting  the 
spiritual,  social,  financial,  and  intellectual  interests  of  a 
congregation  or  charge,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  pastor 
or  the  presiding  elder  of  the  district  to  call  together  the 
women  of  the  congregation  or  charge,  and.  after  securing 
the  names  of  all  present  wishing  to  become  members  of  the 
organization,  he  shall  proceed  to  organize,  by  having  elected 
by  ballot  a  preisident,  vice-president,  secretary,  and  treasurer, 
whose  duties  shall  be  those  usually  devolving  upon  such 
officers. 

Article  11. 

NAME. 

This  organization  shall  be  known  as  the  Women's  Aid 
Society  of  the  Church,  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ 
at , 

Article  III. 

ANNUAL   ELECTION. 

The  officers  of  this  society  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  an- 
nually, at  its  last  meeting  preceding  the  session  of  the  annual 
conference,  and  the  officers  elect  shall  assume  the  duties  of 
their  offices  at  the  first  meeting  succeeding  the  session  of  the 
annual  conference,  at  which  time  the  secretary  shall  turn 
over  to  the  secretary-elect  all  books  and  papers  belonging 
to  the  society,  and  the  treasurer  shall  make  settlement  with, 
and  turn  over  to  the  treasurer-elect  all  funds  belong'ing  to 
the  society. 

141 


142  DISCIPLINE 

The  president  of  this  society,  when  a  member  of  the 
Church,  shall  be  a  member  of  the  cinarterly  conference. 

.irticle  IV. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

Any  woman  of  good  standing,  friendly  to  the  work  of 
the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  may  become 
a    member    of    the    society. 

Article   V. 

MEETINGS. 

The  regular  meetings  of  the  society  shall  be  at  least  once 
each  month,  and  oftener  when  any  interest  demands  it. 

The  meetings  shall  always  open  and  close  with  devotional 
exercises,  and  the  deliberations  shall  be  conducted  according 
to  the  usages  of  the  Church. 

In  case  of  the  absence  of  the  president  and  vice-president, 
the  secretary  shall  call  the  meeting  to  order,  and  proceed 
to  the  election  of  a  president  pro  trm.,  whose  official  acts 
shall  be  valid. 

Article  VI. 

DUES. 

Each  member  of  the  society  shall  pay  into  the  treasury 
of  the  same  the  regular  monthly  dues  agreed  upon  by  the 
society,  and  in  case  a  member  shall  fail  to  pay  for  six  con- 
secutive months,  unless  unable  to  do  so,  her  name  may  be 
erased  from  the  roll  of  the  society. 

Article  VII. 

DISBURSEMENT    OF    FUNDS. 

All  moneys  collected  on  dues,  or  otherwise,  by  the  society, 
shall  be  used  for  the  benefit  of  the  congregation,  or  charge, 
or  for  any  benevolent  purpose,  as  the  society  may  direct. 

Article    VIII. 

CHRISTIAN    VISITATION. 

In  order  to  promote  the  work  of  Christianity  among  the 
families  under  our  influence,  the  members  of  the  society 
may  arrange,  so  as  to  have  all  such  families  visited  at 
least  once  a  month,  by  dividing  the  homes  to  be  visited  into 
districts   and   one   or   two   go    to   each    home,    look   after   the 


women's  aid  society  1-io 

sick,  invite  persons  to  the  various  services  of  the  church, 
and  report  to  the  pastor  or  leader  all  persons  whose  interest 
demands  immediate  attention. 

This  is  not  to  be  substituted  for  the  leaders  nor  for  pas- 
toral visiting,  ])ut  to  aid  them  in  their  work. 


CHAPTER    XX. 

Church  Erection  Society. 

constitution. 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

This  society  shall  be  known  as  the  "Church  Erection 
Society  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ," 
located  in  Dayton,  Ohio, 

Article    II. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

All  members  of  the  Ignited  Brethren  Church  shall  le 
membei's  of  this  society  ;  further,  any  person  paying  .$1,000 
at  one  time,  or  in  four  annual  payments  of  $250  each,  shall 
be  an  advisory  life  director.  The  secretary  shall  prepare 
and  furnish  to  such  advisory  life  directors  a  certificate  slu 
evidence  of  such  directorship,  signed  by  the  president  and 
secretaiy. 

Article  III. 

OBJECT. 

Tlie  object  of  this  society  shall  be  to  assist  congregations 
in  locating  and  erecting  houses  of  worship  and  parsonages. 

Article  IV. 

OFFICERS. 

The  officers  of  this  society  shall  consist  of  nine  directors, 
four  of  whom  sliall  be  laymen,  a  corresponding  secretary, 
and  the  Ceneral  Church  Treasurer,  who  shall  be  elected  by 
the  General  Conference.  The  bishops  shall  be  directors  of 
this  society  cr  officio. 

These  officers  and  directors  shall  constitute  a  board  of 
managers,  who  shall  meet  immediately  on  adjournment  of 
the  General  Conference  on  the  call  of  the  corresponding  sec- 
retary, and  organize  by  electing  a  president  and  vice-presi- 
dent. 

The  corresponding  secretary  shall  be  the  recording  secre- 
tary of  the  board. 

1-14 


CHURCH    ERECTION    SOCIETY  145 

Article  V. 

MEETINGS. 

The  annual  meeting  of  the  board  of  managers  shall  be 
held  at  such  time  and  place  as  the  board  itself  may  decide. 
Other  meetings  may  be  held  at  such  time  and  place  as  may 
be  designated  by  the  president  and  corresponding  secretary. 
Five  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

Article  Vf. 

DUTIES  OF  OFFICERS. 

1.  The  pi'esident  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the 
board,  and  perform  all  duties  usual  to  the  office.  In  the 
absence  of  the  president,  the  vice-president  shall  preside. 

2.  The  corresponding  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  board,  conduct  its  correspondence, 
and  devote  himself  to  the  work  of  securing  funds  and  other- 
wise attending  to  the  interests  of  the  society  as  the  board 
may  direct.  He  shall  submit  an  annual  report  to  the 
board  of  managers  and  a  quadrennial  report  to  the  General 
Conference.  The  salary  of  such  secretary  shall  be  fixed  by 
the  General  Conference. 

3.  Tlie  treasurer  shall  hold  the  funds  of  the  society 
subject  to  the  order  of  the  board. 

4.  The  board  of  managers  shall  hold  annual  meetings, 
appoint  an  executive  committee  of  not  less  than  five, 
make  by-laws  to  regulate  its  business,  loan  money  to 
churches,  ap])ropriate  money  to  defray  incidental  expenses, 
and  publish  such  matter  from  time  to  time  as  the  cause 
may  require.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  managers, 
in  case  of  vacancy  in  the  office  of  secretary,  from  death, 
resignation,  or  otherwise,  to  appoint  his  successor  as  soon 
as  practicable,  who  shall  serve  till  the  following  General 
Conference. 

Article   VII. 

BRANCH    SOCIETIES. 

1.  Each  annual  conference  of  the  Church  is  hereby  con- 
stituted a  branch  of  the  general  society  and  shall  elect  a 
board  of  directors  of  not  less  than  five  of  its  members. 
This  board  shall  organize  by  electing  a  president,  secretary, 
and  treasurer.  It  shall  also  adopt  rules  of  regulation  for 
its  governn.eut   in   harmony   with   the  rules  and  government 


14G  DISCIPLINE 

of  the  general  l)oai'd.  The  branch  secretary  and  treasurer 
shall  snlnnit  annual  reports  to  their  conference  boards  and 
to  the  secretary  of  the  general  board  by  April  first  of  each 
year. 

2.  The  board  of  directors,  in  conjunction  with  the  pre- 
siding elder,  may  take  charge  of  the  propeity  of  the  church 
which  becomes  vacant  and  control  the  same  so  as  to  sub- 
serve the  best  interests  of  the  conference. 

Article  VIII. 

EASTER    OFFERING. 

1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  annual  conference  to 
make  it  incumbent  upon  every  pastor  and  all  of  our  churches 
to  observe  Church  Erection  Day  on  or  about  Easter,  at 
which  time  offerings  shall  be  taken  in  all  our  churches, 
Sunday  schools,  and  Young  People's  societies  for  Church 
Erection.  An  average  of  ten  cents  per  member  shall  be 
the  minimum  standard  to  be  obtained  for  this  purpose. 

2.  When  desired  by  pastors,  the  general  secretary  shall 
furnish    envelopes    and    literature    for    the    Easter    offerings. 

3.  In  churches  where  the  budget  plan  is  in  vogue,  ten 
cents  per  member  of  said  church  shall  be  apportioned  for 
Church  Erection. 

Article  IX. 

RECEIPTS   OF  TREASURER. 

The  Ceneral  Church  Treasurer  shall  receiiM;  for  all  money 
sent  him  by  the  various  conference   treasurers. 

Article  X. 

APPLICATION  FOR    LOANS. 

Application  for  loans  from  this  society  shall  be  made  to 
the  general  secretary,  through  the  officers  of  the  branch 
society ;  provided,  however,  that  in  the  locating  and  erection 
of  houses  of  worship  no  board  of  trustees  applying  for  aid 
from  the  parent  board  shall  receive  a  loan  from  said  board 
until  the  location  has  received  the  approval  of  the  conference 
board. 

Article  XL 

GRANTING    OF   LOANS. 

1.  The  board  shall  make  no  appropriations  where  there 
is   j-easonable   prospect   that   the  church   asking  aid  can   sue- 


ClIUKCir    EUECTION    SOCIETY  147 

ceed  without  it,  or  where  there  is  no  prospect  of  gathering; 
a   good   church   membership. 

2.  Funds  shall  not  be  loaned  to  any  church  until  the 
church  property  is  secured  by  deed  as  provided  for  in 
the  Discipline;  nor  shall  loans  be  made  to  churches  until 
their  trustees  have  forwarded  an  abstract  of  the  title  of 
their  property,  certificate  of  release  of  all  mechanics"  liens 
and  other  incumbrances,  and  their  notes,  se,  ured  by  the  first 
mortgage  on  the  premises  properly  ret  orded  in  the  records 
of  the  courts,  for  the  inspection  of  the  board  of  managers,  or 
executive   committee. 

3.  A  record  of  all  loans  placed  by  the  general  board  on 
churches  and  parsonages  shall  be  kept  by  the  secretary  of 
the  branch  society  in  conferences  where  such  churches  and 
l)arsonages  are  located. 

4.  The  branch  society  shall  assist  the  general  board  in 
])romptly  securing  all  loans  as  they  become  due  on  churches 
and  parsonages  within   its  jurisdiction. 

Article   XII. 

DUTY    OF    THE    MINISTRY. 

1.  Each  pastor  shall  present  the  interests  of  church 
erection  to  his  people  during  the  year,  and  distribute  such 
literature  as  may  be  furnished  by  the  secretary  and  boaid 
of  managers. 

2.  The  presiding  elder  shall  direct  attention  to  the  in- 
terests of  the  society  at  quarterly  meetings,  and  shall  advise 
with  the  pastors  as  to  the  best  methods  of  securing  the 
Easter  offerings  in  full.  They  shall  also  interest  themselves 
in  securing  special  gifts  and  bequests  from  those  who  may  be 
able  to   give. 

Article  XIII. 

GRANT    FUND. 

A  grant  fund  shall  be  opened.  Through  this  fund  fifty 
per  cent,  of  the  Easter  offerings  received  from  each  annual 
conference  shall  be  refunded  to  its  branch  treasurer  by  the 
(ieneral  Church  Treasurer,  when  desired ;  said  fund  to  be 
applied  at  the  discretion  of  the  branch  society. 

Article  XI V\ 

IN.SURANCE. 

1.  Tlie  trustees  of  any  church  or  i)arsonage  which  re- 
ceives   a    loan    from    the    Church    Erection    Society    shall    be 


148  DISCIPLINE 

required  to  secure  said  property  from  loss  by  fire  in  some 
reliable  insurance  company  in  favor  of  said  Church  Erection 
Society. 

Article  XV. 

PARSONAGE    FUND. 

1.  The  parsonage  fund  shall  be  under  the  control  of  the 
general  Church  Erection  Society.  Loans  from  this  fund  to 
aid  in  building  parsonages  shall  be  made  on  the  same  regu- 
lations that  loans  are  made  on  churches. 

2.  All  our  Ladies'  Aid  Societies  and  kindred  organiza- 
tions shall  be  requested  to  make  annual  contributions  to 
the  general  parsonage  fund.  Where  such  societies  do  not 
exist,  the  pastors  shall  each  year  appoint  one  or  more  women 
in  their  congregation  or  congregations  to  solicit  money  for 
said  fund. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Church-Erection  Secretary 
to  include  in  his  annual  report  to  the  board  of  managers  a 
full  statement  of  new  funds  received  and  loans  returned, 
together  with  the  number  of  parsonages  added  during  the 
year. 

Article  XVI. 

ADMINISTRATION    OF    FUNDS. 

1.  All  moneys  collected  for  the  various  funds  of  Church 
Erection  shall  be  paid  to  the  treasurer  of  the  branch  society 
who  shall  promptly  remit  the  same  to  the  General  Church 
Treasurer. 

2.  All  special  donations  and  bequests  shall  go  direct  to 
the  treasurer  of  the  general  board. 

Article  XV 11. 

LOT    FUND. 

1.  This  fund  shall  be  applied  for  the  purchasing  of  desir- 
able lots  in  strategic  towns  and  cities  of  the  various  con- 
ferences where  we  have  no  churches,  said  lots  to  be  gifts  to 
the  local  churches  that  may.be  organized  in  such  places. 
If  at  any  time  a  church  to  which  a  lot  has  been  donated 
from  this  fund  should  be  abandoned,  said  lot  shall  revert  to 
the  general  Church  Erection  Society. 


CHUKCH    ERECTION    SOCIETY  149 

2.  This  fimd  shall  be  created  and  sustained  by  levying 
an  annual  interest  of  two  per  cent,  on  all  loans  hereafter 
gi'anted. 

3.  It   shall  be  available  when  $5,00<J  has   accrued   in   its 

treasury. 

Note. — For  the  election  and  duties  of  tJie  treasurer  of  tliis 
society,  see  Cliapter  V.,  Section  X.,  page  4.1. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Printing  Establishment  and   Church   Publications. 

Section  I. 
printing  establishment. 
Na  in  e. 
1.     This    ostablishment    shall    be    called    "The    Printing 
Establishment  of  the  United   Brethren   in   Christ." 

Election  of  Officers. 
'2.  The  controlling  anthority  herein  granted  shall  be 
\ested  in  the  General  Conference  of  said  Church,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  elect  the  necessary  agents  and  editors, 
and  fix  their  salaries,  and  make  or  amend  such  rules  as  in 
its  judgment  it  may  deem  expedient. 

Trustees — Election  and  Duties. 
o.     Tlie   General    Conference   shall   elect  a    board   of   nine 
trustees  to  serve  for  four  years,  or  until  their  successors  are 
elected  ;  provided,  that  at  least  three  of  the  number  shall  be 
residents  or  Dayton  or  its  vicinity. 

4.  The  board  of  trustees  thus  elected  shall,  during  the 
interval  of  the  General  Conferences,  take  the  oversight  of 
the  Printing  Establishment.  They  shall  meet  annually, 
or  oftener  if  need  be,  in  the  Publishing  House  in  Dayton, 
Ohio,  on  the  call  of  their  president.  They  shall  also  select 
a  local  committee  of  three  of  their  number,  from  among 
those  residing  in  Dayton  or  its  vicinity. 

5.  The  local  committee  shall  take  the  oversight  of  the 
establishment  during  the  intervals  of  the  meetings  of  the 
l)0'ard  of  trustees.  It  shall  meet  monthly,  or  oftener  if 
need  be,  and  shall  have  power  to  order  expenses  curtailed 
in  any  department  of  the  Publishing  House ;  and  should 
there  arise  a  difference  of  opinion  between  the  Agent  and 
tlie  editor  of  any  of  the  publications  as  to  what  shall  appear 
in  the  columns  of  any  paper,  the  committee  shall  decide 
the  matter;  it  shall  also  decide  what  books  that  have  been 
approved  by  the  book  committee  shall  be  pul)lished  by  the 
House,  and  transact  such  other  business  as  may  come  be- 
fore it. 

150 


PKINTING  ESTABLISHMENT,   CHUKCII  TUBLICATIONS      151 

6.  The  board  of  trustees  shall  have  full  power  at  any 
meeting  to  discontinue  any  periodical  when  the  interests  of 
the  Church  or  Printing  Establishment  demand  it ;  such 
action  shall,  however,  not  be  taken  except  by  a  two-thirds 
vote  of  the  board ;  and  then  the  office  and  salary  of  the 
editor  or  editors  shall  cease. 

7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  trustees  to  see  that  the 
Agent  and  editors  properly  and  faithfully  discharge  their 
duties.  In  case  of  dereliction  of  duty,  they  may  suspend  the 
delinquent  party  or  parties  from  office  until  the  Geneial 
Conference ;  provided,  however,  that  no  one  shall  be  sus- 
pended until  a  copy  of  the  complaints  in  writing  has  been 
presented  to  the  accused,  and  an  opportunity  given  for 
defense  before   the  board   of   trustees. 

8.  The  ti'ustees  may  make  any  by-laws  which  m.ay  seem 
to  them  expedient  for  the  regulation  of  the  minor  concerns 
of  the  Printing  Establishment,  provided  they  are  not  incon- 
sistent with  any  General  Conference  rule. 

9.  That  the  editors.  Publishing  Agent,  and  trustees  are 
authorized  to  make  such  changes  and  improvements  in  our 
literature  dui'ing  the  quadreunium  as  may  be  necessary,  and 
also  to  adjust  any  discrepancies  between  the  periodicals  in 
size  and  prices. 

Duties  of  Puhlhhinrj  Agent. 

10.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Agent  to  supervise  and 
manage  the  business  of  the  Printing  Establishment,  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  board  of  trustees ;  to  regulate  the 
publications  and  all  other  affairs  of  the  House,  except  that 
which  pertains  to  the  editorial  departments,  in  such  man- 
ner as  the  interests  of  the  Church  may  require.  He  shall 
also  furnish  to  the  local  committee,  at  each  monthly  meet- 
ing, a  full  and  satisfactory  statement  of  all  the  business 
transactions  of  the  previous  month  ;  and,  if  desired  by  the 
committee,  he  shall  present  for  examination  all  books, 
vouchers,  and  papers,  and  afford  the  committee  every  means 
and  facility  for  a  full  and  intelligent  understanding  of  the 
business  of  the  Pul-lishing  House.  He  shall  keep  separate 
accounts  with  ear-h  department  of  the  business,  and  also 
each  periodical  published,  and  carry  into  effect  all  of  the 
instructions  of   the    'noard    of   trustees    and    local    committee. 

n.  The  Agent  and  local  conunittee  shall  annually  take 
an    account    of    stock,    including    in    the    inventory    all    the 


152  DISCIPLINE 

assets,  of  whatever  nature,  of  the  Printing  Establishment 
at  their  estimated  cash  value,  except  the  real  estate,  which 
shall  be  appraised  by  the  local  committee  of  the  board  of 
trustees  at  the  end  of  each  quadrennium,  and  the  valuation 
shall  not  be  changed  prior  to  the  close  of  the  succeeding 
quadrennium  except  by  the  purchase  or  sale,  improvement 
or  destruction  of  property.  Such  inventory  shall  also  con- 
tain a  full  and  detailed  statement  of  all  liabilities,  profits, 
and  losses.  The  Agent  and  board  of  trustees  shall  have 
full  control  of  credits  and  collections. 

12.  The  Agent  shall  prepare  and  publish  a  report  of  the 
condition  of  the  Printing  Establishment  annually,  in  the 
Religious  Telescope,  and  shall  also  make  a  report  to  the 
General  Conference.  He  shall  njake  arrangements  for  vcr- 
hatiin  reports  of  the  proceedings  of  the  General  Conference 
for  publication. 

Vacancies. 

13.  Should  any  vacancy  occur  in  any  of  the  offices  of 
the  Printing  Establishment,  or  in  the  board  of  trustees,  the 
trustees  shall  fill  such  vacancy  until  the  sitting  of  the  suc- 
ceeding   General    Conference. 

Employment  of  Time. 

14.  No  editor  or  officer  employed  in  the  Printing  Estab- 
lishment shall  accept  any  office  or  engage  in  any  business 
which  will  interfere  with  the  duties  of  his  office. 

Proceeds. 

15.  The  profits  of  the  Printing  Establishment,  after  a 
sufficient  capital  to  carry  on  the  business  is  retained,  shall 
be  applied  to  the  benefit  of  traveling  and  worn-out  itinerant 
preachers  and  their  widows  and  orphans.  (For  method  of 
distribution,  see  Ministerial  Relief  Bureau,  page  70,  Section 
IV.,  item  2,  "Source  of  Income.") 

Section  II. 

CnURCH   PUBLICATIONS. 

Book   Committee. 

1.     That   the   book   committee   be  composed   of   the   editor 

of  the  Religious  Telescope,  editor  of  the  Watchword,  editor 

of  the  Sabbath-school  literature,  the  professor  of  theology  in 

Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary,  and  the  Publishing  Agent. 


rHINTr.\<;   ESTAIJLTSHAIEXT.   CIIITIU'II    iniMLICATIONS       l.lo 

'J^be  latter  shall  receive  all  manuscripts  aud  iiavi;  power  to 
call  the  committee,  and  without  the  sanction  of  the  book 
committee  no  book  shall  be  published  in  the  name  of  t'lo 
Church  or  Publishing  Rouse  during  the  intervals  of  th.'> 
(general  Conference.  The  Agent  and  local  committee  shall 
select  a  Book  Editor. 

Authorship  of  Docirinal  Puhlicatlons. 
2.  No  one  of  our  preachers  or  laymen  shall  become  the 
author  of  any  doctrinal  book  or  pamphlet,  in  a  printed 
Foim.  in  the  name  of  the  Church,  without  the  approbation 
of  the  book  committee  or  the  annual  conforence.  or  of  a 
committee  chosen  by  the  latter.  If  any  preacher  or  layman 
violates  this  rule,  he  shall  be  accountable  to  the  class  or  to 
the  quarterly'  or  annual  conference,  as  the  case  may  be. 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

Educatioix. 
Section  I. 

BOARD    OP    EDUCATION CONSTITUTION. 

'J' HE  Board  of  Education  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ 
shall  consist  of  nine  members  to  be  elected  by  the  General 
Conference,  who  shall  hold  office  for  four  years.  In  addition, 
the  bishops  shall  be  members  ex  officio  of  this  board.  Five 
members  shall  constitute  a  quorum.  This  board  shall  direct 
and  supervise  the  general  educational  work  of  the  Church 
under  the  rules  and  regulations  enacted  by  the  General 
Conference. 

Orf/anization. 

1.  Tlie  officers  of  the  board  shall  be  a  president  and  sec- 
retary, who  shall  be  elected  by  the  board  at  the  first  session 
immediately  after  the  adjournment  of  General  Conference, 
and  these  officers  shall  hold  office  until  the  next  General 
Conference. 

2.  The  secretary  may  be  any  competent  member  of  the 
Church,  and,  if  elected  from  outside  the  board,  shall  be  an 
advisory  member. 

3.  This  secretary  is  to  devote  such  portion  of  his  time  to 
the  work  of  the  board  as  it  may  direct,  his  compensation  to 
be  fixed  by  the  board. 

4.  There  shall  be  at  least  one  session  of  the  board  each 
year.  Special  meetings  of  the  board  may  be  called  by  the 
president,  upon  the  request  of  five  members. 

5.  In  the  case  of  vacancy  occurring  in  the  board,  by  death 
or  otherwise,  the  board  shall  have  power  to  fill  the  vacancy, 
the  election  to  be  by  ballot,  and  the  person  elected  to  hold 
office  until  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  Conference. 

Objects. 
G.     The  objects  of  this  board  shall  be  : 

GENERAL    AIM. 

(1)  To  assist  in  every  way  the  cause  of  higher  educa- 
tion in  the  Church,  to  awaken  and  stimulate  an  interest  in 

154 


EDUCATION  15.J 

this  important  v.ork  tlirougliout  the  borders  of  our  Zion. 
to  encourage  and  aid  our  educational  institutions  that  are 
striving  to  bring-  the  Church  to  greater  efficiency,  and  to 
unite  the  friends  of  education  in  their  efforts,  that  greater 
unity  of  plan  may  be  secured,  and  the  forces  of  the  Church 
combined  to  give  our  people  advantages  commensurate  with 
the  needs  of  the  present  day. 

BENEFICIARY  AID. 

(2)  To  raise  funds  by  collection,  donation,  or  bequest, 
to  aid  by  loan,  without  interest,  as  the  executive  com- 
mittee may  determine,  in  educating,  in  both  their  collegiate 
and  theological  courses,  worthy  young  persons  who  are  pre- 
paring themselves  for  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  or 
as  missionaries  in  the  United  Brethren  Church  ;  provided, 
hoAvever,  that  the  board  slmll  have  power  to  receive  money 
and  use  it  for  other  educational  pui^poses,  as  donors  may 
direct. 

PUBLICATIONS. 

(.3)  To  seek  by  the  publication  of  tracts,  pamphlets, 
addresses,  or  books  upon  educational  questions,  to  diffuse 
among  our  members  a  more  general  knowledge  of  the  value 
of  a  sanctified  education  and  of  a  well-instructed  ministry, 
and  thereby  awaken  in  them  a  better  appreciation  of  our 
institutions  of  learning,  and  of  the  obligations  resting  upon 
them  to  give  of  their  substance  for  their  support. 

REPORTS    AND    RECOMMENDATIONS. 

(4)  To  make  an  annual  report  of  the  general  and  finan- 
cial condition  of  the  colleges  and  other  educational  insti- 
tutions of  the  Church  :  to  make  such  recommendations  to 
the  managers  of  these  institutions  as  will  tend  to  make  them 
more  effective ;  to  secure,  as  far  as  may  seem  desirable, 
harmony  of  courses  of  study  between  preparatory  schools 
and   colleges  and  universities. 

ESTABLISHMENT    OF    SCHOOLS    AND    COLLEGES. 

(5)  To  discourage  the  multiplication  of  schools  and 
colleges  where  they  cannot  be  properly  supported.  Con- 
ferences, or  a  conference  wishing  to  establish,  relocate,  or 
change  the  grade  of  a  school,  shall  first  counsel  with  the 
Board  of  Education,  both  as  to  the  advisability  of  the  meas- 
ure proposed,  and  also  as  to  the  method  and  location,  and 


156  DISCIPLINE 

nny  school  started  witliout  the  sam-tiou  of  this  lioard  shall 
not  be  recognized  as  a  Church  school.  The  board  shall- 
make  inquiry  as  to  the  number  of  schools  within  different 
commnuities,  and  where  found  to  be  too  numerous,  the 
board  shall  institute  measures  for  combination  and  con- 
centration  of   their   resources   and    efforts. 

Collections. 
7.  To  accomplish  these  results,  an  annual  offering 
shall  be  taken  in  the  month  of  June,  or  at  such  other  time 
as  the  presiding  elder  of  any  district  may  deem  most  suit- 
able. The  preacher  in  charge,  or  some  other  competent 
l)erson,  shall  first  preach  a  sermon  or  ii^ake  appropriate  re- 
n^arks  concerning  the  object,  plans,  and  woi'k  of  this  board, 
and  then  take  a  collection  in  such  manner  as  will  secure 
the  largest  amount  of  funds.  If  the  board  thinks  best,  it 
may  apportion  the  amount  to  be  raised  by  the  various  con- 
ferences, according  to  their  number  and  ability,  and  the 
conferences  in  turn  shall  make  these  apportionments  to  their 
respective  fields  of  labor,  and  the  funds  thus  raised  shall  be 
sent  to  the  General  Church  Treasurer. 

RecomuioHlalions  for  Aid. 
S.  Young  persons  aided  by  this  boai'd  must  first  be 
recommended  as  suitable  persons  to  receive  aid.  by  the 
( onference  in  whose  bounds  they  live,  or  to  which  they 
belong ;  or  by  the  Board  of  Missions,  when  the  applicant 
does  not  reside  within  the  bounds  of  any  conference ;  or 
by  an  educational  committee  appointed  by  the  conference, 
to  whom  all  requests  for  aid.  not  acted  upon  by  conference, 
(tr  which  shall  occur  during  the  interim  of  its  sessions,  shall 
he  referred. 

Delinquents. 
0.  No  ]ie]'son  having  received  aid  from  the  Board  of 
Education  may  be  granted  an  honorable  dismissal  by  his 
his  conference  until  he  shall  have  made  satisfactory  settle- 
ment with  the  l)oard.  The  bishoixs  are  directed  to  enforce 
this  provision. 

Executive  Coinniittre  and  By-hatrs. 

10.  The  board  shall  have  i)ower  to  appoint  an  executive 
committee  from  its  own  body,  and  to  mnke  such  by-lav.'s 
to  regulate  its  own  proceedings,  and  take  such  other  meas- 


EDUCATIOX  IHT 

ures  to  accomplish  the  object  of  its  croation.  as  shall  not    be 
iuconsisteut   witli   this  constitution. 

E  ducat  to  It  Day. 

11.  There  shall  be  ol)sei'ved  annually  in  each  congregation 
an  Education  Day,  at  which  time  pastor  and  people  shall 
give  special  attention  to  the  educational  interests  of  the 
Church.  The  churches  and  schools  shall  each  year  observe 
the   Day  of  Prayer  for   P.tudents. 

Quadrennial  Rcpoi t. 

12.  The  board,  through  its  secretary,  shall  u^ake  to 
the  ("ieneral  Conference  a  report  of  all  the  work  done 
during  the  preceding  four  years,  including  money  re- 
ceived by  collections,  bequests,  or  otherwise,  the  amount 
liaid  out,  and  the  purposes  for  which  it  was  paid.  The 
board  maj'  propose  to  the  (jeneial  Conference,  from  time 
to  time,  such  plans  as  it  may  consider  useful  or  necessary 
for  the  success  of  the  work  committed   to   it. 

13.  No  addition  or  amendments  to  the  provisions  of  this 
constitu.tiou  shall  l)e  njade  excejit  by  consent  of  a  majority 
of  the  members  of  the  General  Conference  pi-esent  at  any 
of  its  sessions.  Notice  of  any  proposed  addition  or  amend- 
ment shall  be  given  at  least  one  day  previous  to  its  con- 
sideration. 

Section  II. 

ACADEMIES. 

In  this  day  of  excellent  high  schools  in  many  parts  of 
our  country,  academies  should  be  located  judiciously,  and 
should  contine  their  literary  courses  of  study  to  such  branches 
of  learning  as  will  prepare  for  entrance  upon  the  freshman 
or  sophomore  year  of  the  best  colleges.  An  academy  doing 
such  work  is  greatly  preferable  to  an  inferior  college.  No 
new  academy  shall  l)e  undertaken  with  a  less  sum  than 
twenty-five  tliou>and  dollars. 

Section  III. 

COLLEGES. 

1.  The  success  of  our  church  work  is  connected  \itally 
with  the  colleges  of  the  Church.  In  these  our  youth  are 
developed  and  equipped  in  mind  and  heai-t  for  the  work  of 
elfective   service   to   hunianitw 


158  DISCIPLINE 

2.  The  ministry  and  laity  should  earnestly  use  their 
power  to  have  as  many  young-  people  as  possible  attend  our 
own  institutions  of  learning,  and  to  encourage  persons  to 
give  liberally  of  their  means  for  the  more  thorough  estab- 
lishment and  equipment  of   our  educational  institutions. 

3.  For  the  purpose  of  greater  unity  and  efficiency  in  our 
educational  work,  the  General  Conference  directs  that  the 
length  of  a  course  of  study  leading  to  degrees  be  three  years 
in  the  preparatory  department  and  four  years  in  the  college, 
and  asks  all  the  schools  in  the  Church  to  adopt  this  standard. 

4.  No  college  shall  be  founded  except  upon  the  demand 
of  an  imperative  necessity,  or  with  a  less  sum  of  money 
than  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  of  which  fifty  thousand 
dollars  shall  be  a  pern  anent  and  productive  endowment, 
and  whose  title  shall  be  in  fee  simple  to  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ.  As  to  Christian  education,  the 
divine  Word  aptly  declares :  "'Wisdom  is  a  defence,  and 
money  is  a  defence ;  but  the  excellency  of  knowledge  is, 
that  wisdom  giveth  life  to  them  that  have   it." 

5.  It  is  advised  that  any  conference  cooperating  with 
any  of  our  institutions  of  learning  remain  therewith  until 
there  be  an  equital)le  adjustment  of  all  outstanding  o]3li,5.>:a- 
tions  of  such  institution,  either  as  may  be  determined  by 
such  conference  and  the  trustees  of  the  institution,  or  by 
the  Board  of   Education. 

6.  It  is  recommended  that  the  several  presidents  and 
principals  of  our  institutions  of  learning  be  ex  officio  mem- 
bers of  the  local  official  bodies  which  govern  the  said  insti- 
tutions. 

7.  We  direct  that  the  endowment  funds  of  our  institu- 
tions of  learning  be  kept  sacred  for  the  purposes  for  which 
they  were  given,  and  not  dissipated  and  jeopardized  by 
loans  to  the  contingent  fund  of  the  institution  and  spent 
for  current  expenses,  and  we  recommend  that  these  funds 
of  our  institutions  be  not  loaned  to  the  members  of  the 
board,  or  officers  or  teachers  of  the  institution,  or  others 
who  are  personally  interested  in  the  care  and  safe-keeping 
of  these  funds. 

8.  We  cordially  endorse  and  approve  the  best  method  of 
industrial  education  as  applied  in  those  institutions  whei'e 
hiechaniial  and  other  equipment  is  provided  for  this  pur- 
pose, and   recommend   that   this   i)ractical    training  and    self- 


EDUCATION  1  r>9 

help   be   seciirod   for   tlioso   who   desire   it,   as   soon   as    pi'ne- 
ticable. 

College  Extension   Courses. 

9.  lu  view  of  the  fact  that  many  of  our  ministers  and 
laj'men  who  find  it  impossible  to  go  away  to  school,  would 
be  glad  to  pursue  a  course  of  study,  and  in  view  of  the 
university  and  college  extension  movement  now  organized  in 
most  of  the  schools  of  higher  education  in  our  land,  we 
recommend  : 

(1)  That  all  our  colleges  offer  such  non-resident  courses 
of  study  as  they  may  be  able  to  teach,  for  the  aid  and 
encouragement  of  the  above-named  class  of  students.^ 

(2)  That  these  students  be  examined  thoroughly  on 
their  courses  of  study,  and  that  suital)le  diplomas  be  award- 
ed those  who  complete  their  work  to  the  satisfaction  of 
the  respective  colleges. 

10.  We  recommend  that  our  institutions  of  learning  pro- 
vide such  instruction  as  shall  prepare  their  students  to 
become  leaders   of   song   in   church   and    Sunday  school. 

11.  We  recommend  that  our  institutions  of  learning  give 
greater  emphasis  to  the  training  of  their  young  people  for 
different  phases  of  religious  work. 

Section  IV. 

BONEBRAKE   THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY. 

1.  This  institution  of  sacred  learning,  located  at  Dayton. 
Ohio,  is  maintained  by  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  for 
the  purpose  of  educating  persons  called  of  God  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry  and  the  spread  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  among 
men.  It  shall  be  under  the  control  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  by  which  its  board 
of  directors  shall  be  elected  at  each  quadrennial  session. 

Offieers. 

2.  The  officers  of  the  Seminary  shall  consist  of  a  busi- 
ness manager  and  a  board  of  directors,  who  shall  be  elected 
by  the  General  Conference.  Tlie  board  of  directors  shall  be 
composed  of  not  less  than  nine  members,  and  may  have 
three  additional  members  at  large,  at  least  one  of  whom 
shall  be  a  representative  of  the  alumni,  to  be  elected  by  the 
board  of  directors,  at  their  option,  for  a  term  not  extend- 
ing beyond   the   sesi^ion   of  the   ensuing   General    Conferen<-e. 


KJO  DISCIPLINE 

and  the  .bishops  of  the  Church,  who  shall  be  cousidered 
<;x  officio  members  ;  provided,  alwaj'S,  that  a  miajority  of  the 
dii-ectors  shall  he  bona  fide  residents  of  the  State  of  Oliio. 

Duties   of  Directors. 

3.  The  board  of  directors  shall  meet  on  the  call  of  the 
senior  bishop  immediately  after  their  election,  and  organize 
l)y  electing  a  president  and  seci-etary.  The  ])oard  of  active 
bishops  shall  act  as  vice-presidents  in  the  order  of  their 
seniority.  They  shall  meet  annually  in  the  Seminary  build- 
ing at  Dayton,  Ohio,  elect  a  president  and  the"  necessary 
faculty,  review  the  work  of  the  business  manager  and  th(> 
faculty,  determine  the  salaries  of  tlie  faculty,  and  adopt 
measui'es  for  the  advancement  of  the  interests  of  the  institu- 
tion, 

4.  The  board  of  directors  may  fill  any  vacancy  caused 
by  the  resignation,  removal,  or  refusal  to  serve  of  the  busi- 
ness manager  or  trustees. 

5.  The  board  shall  elect  four  persons  who.  together  with 
the  business  manager,  shall  constitute  the  executive  com- 
mittee, which  shall  meet  on  call  of  the  chairman  and  trans- 
act business  for  the  institution  in  accord  with  the  orders 
and  plans  of  the  board  of  directors. 

6.  The  board  of  directors  shall  make  to  the  (General 
Conference  a  report  of  its  work,  giving  such  facts  in  con- 
nection  with   the   Seminary   as   it  may   deem  of   importance. 

Business  Manager. 

7.  The  business  manager  shall  reside  in  Davton,  Ohio, 
and  shall  manage  the  assets  under  the  direction  of  the 
executive  committee,  have  charge  of  all  the  pi'operty,  and 
manage  the  business  of  the  institution.  He  shall  solicit, 
and,  with  the  consent  and  approval  of  the  board  of  direc- 
tors, or  executive  committee,  employ  others  to  solicit  con- 
tributions to  the  Seminary.  In  the  name  of  the  Bonebrake 
Theological  Seminary,  and  under  its  corporate  seal,  the  busi- 
ness manager  shall  execute  all  deeds  of  transfer  and  other 
legal  documents  which  may  be  authorized  by  the  board  of 
directors  or  its  executive  committee.  lie  sh.all  report  to 
the  board  of  directors  annually,  and  to  the  (General  Con- 
ference, an  account  of  all  receipts  and  expenditures,  and 
the  standing  and  efficiency  of  the  institution,  with  any 
other  important  facts  or  recommendations. 


EDUCATION  1(51 

The  Custodian  of  Funds. 
8.     The  (Teiieral   Church  Treasurer  shall   receive  and  dis- 
liurse  ou  order  the  funds  of  the  Seminary. 

Endowment  and  Other  Funds. 
0.  All  moneys  or  values  of  any  kind  given  to  the  Senii- 
uary  as  an  endowment  shall  be  held  sacred  as  a  permanent 
fund  and  securely  invested,  the  interest  only  to  be  used  in 
the  maintenance  of  the  Seminary.  All  other  funds  shall 
be  used  as  the  interests  of  the  Seminary  may  require  or  as 
the  donors  may  direct. 

Annual    Collections. 

10.  Tlie  annual  apportionment  to  the  whole  number  of 
annual  conferences  for  the  benefit  of  the  Seminary  shall 
be  $10,000.  This  amount  shall  be  apportioned  by  the  board 
of  directors  to  the  several  annual  conferences,  and  by  the 
conferences  apportioned  to  the  several  charges,,  to  be  col- 
lected by  the  pastors  and  reported  to  their  respective  con- 
ferences :  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  presiding  bishop 
to  see  that  the  full  amount  of  the  assessment  is  properly 
apportioned  to  the  respective  charges.  Ten  per  cent,  of 
the  funds  thus  secured  may  be  used  for  the  support  of  the 
library  in   the   Seminary. 

Obligation  of  Faculty. 

11.  Each  professor  chosen  to  a  chair  in  the  Seminary 
shall,  upon  the  day  of  his  inauguration,  publicly  subscribe 
to  the  following  declaration   of  faith   and  obligation  : 

I  solemnly  declare,  in  the  presence  of  God  and  the  officei's 
of  Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary,  that  I  believe  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  Old  and  New  Testaments,  to  be  the  inspired  Word 
of  God,  and,  with  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  only  perfect  rule  of 
faith  and  practice.  I  believe  the  Confession  of  Faith,  as 
contained  in  the  thirteen  articles  in  our  Book  of  Disciplinf\ 
to  be  a  truthful  consensus  of  the  fundamental  doctrines  of 
the  Bible.  I  believe  that  the  system  of  church  govern- 
ment, as  presented  in  the  Book  of  Discipline  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  is  consistent  with  the  teachings  of  the 
sacred  Scriptures,  and  I  solemnly  promise  that  I  will  not 
teach  or  insinuate  anything  that  shall  in  any  way  be  in- 
consistent with  the  foregoing  declaration,  or  that  is  not  in 
harmony    with    the    Constitution    and    Confession    of    Faitb 


1G2  DISCIPLINE 

and  the  rules  of  the  Church  as  set  forth  in  the  Discipline 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ.  I  also  promise,  by  divine 
assistance,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  to  sustain  the  doc- 
trines of  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  thus  set  forth  by  the 
Church,  in  opposition  to  all  forms  of  error,  as  long  as  I 
shall    remain    a    professor   in    this    institution, 

[Name] 

Eu trance  Examination . 

12.  The  faculty  may  require  candidates  for  admission 
to  the  Seminary  to  pass  any  examinations  deemed  necessary 
to  determine  their  fitness,  and  arrange  for  examinations  in 
the  resi)ective  conferences  without  expense  to  candidates, 
l)rovided  that  no  person  shall  be  permitted  to  enter  the  regu- 
lar course  of  study  who  has  not  had  a  high-school  course  or 
its  fair  equivalent. 

Postgraduate  Studies. 

13.  The  faculty  may  arrange  postgraduate  courses  of 
reading  to  cover  one,  two,  or  three  years,  for  the  suc- 
cessful completion  of  which  appropriate  seals  shall  be  placed 
upon  the  diplomas  of  alumni.  The  examination  shall  be  by 
correspondence,    or   otherwise,    as    the    faculty   may    arrange. 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

Historical  Society. 
Section  I. 

GENERAL    CONFERENCE    APPROVAL. 

1.  The  Historical  Society  of  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  located  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  having  for  its 
object  the  collecting  and  preserving  of  papers,  records, 
books,  and  other  materials  bearing  upon  the  history  of  the 
Church,   has  the   recognition   of   the   General  Conference. 

2.  Said  society  shall,  through  its  officers,  make  quad- 
I'ennial   reports  to  the  General  Conference. 

Section  II. 

C0x\STITUTI0N. 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

The  name  of  this  society  shall  be,  The  Historical  Society 
of  the  Church  of  the   United  Brethren  in   Christ. 

Article  II. 

OBJECT. 

Its  object  shall  be,  to  collect  and  preserve  information 
in  connection  with  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  Church  of 
the  United  Bvethi'en  in  Christ ;  also,  objects  of  curiosity 
and  interest,  in  the  form  of  manuscripts,  books.  i)araphlets, 
medals,  portraits,  etc. 

Article  III. 

LOCATION. 

Tlie  business  headquarters,  the  museum.'  and  library  of 
the  society  shall  be  located  in  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Article  IV. 

MEMBERS. 

1.  Any  person  approved  by  the  board  of  managers  may 
become   a    member   upon    the    i)ayment    of    an    initiatory    fee 

16S 


iri4  DISCIPLINE 

of  one  dollar,  aud  may  retain  membership  by  eontributino- 
one  dollar  annually  thereafter.  In  case  of  failure  to  pay 
fees  within  six  months  after  they  are  due,  membership  shall 
be  forfeited. 

2.  Any  person  approved  by  the  board  of  managers  may. 
by  the  payment  of  ten  dollars,  become  a  life  member,  and 
shall  be  exempt  from  the  paj^ment  of  the  annual  fee. 

3.  The  board  of  managers  shall  have  power  to  ap- 
point a.  corresponding  member  within  each  of  the  annual 
conferences  of  the  Church  ;  but,  at  the  request  of  the  boavd 
of  managers,  a  corresponding  member  may  be  elected  by  an 
annual  conference.  Other  corresponding  members  may  be 
elected  by  the  board,  at  their  option. 

4.  Any  person  considered  worthy  of  the  honor  may, 
by  the  board  of  managers,  be  elected  to  honorary  membei-- 
ship,   without   fees. 

Article   F. 

OFFICERS. 

1.  The  officers  shall  consist  of  a  president,  first,  second, 
and  third  vice-presidents,  secretary,  librarian,  and  a  board  of 
managers  consisting  of  these  officers  and  eight  other  nieiu- 
bers.  The  General  Church  Treasurer  is,  by  enactment  of 
General  Conference,  the  treasurer  of  the  society. 

2.  These  officers  shall  be  elected  at  each  regular  annual 
meeting,  and  shall  serve  until  their  successors  have  been 
duly  elected. 

3.  The  election  of  officers  shall  be  conducted  by  bal- 
lot, unless  there  be  but  one  nomination,  in  which  case 
the  election  shall  be  by  acclamation. 

4.  In  voting  by  ballot,  no  votes  shall  be  counted  ex- 
cept those  cast  by  members  present  at  the  meeting,  for 
persons  nominated,  and  a  majority  of  all  votes  cast  shall 
be  necessary  to  election. 

5.  The  board  of  managers  shall  have  power  to  fill  vacan- 
cies. 

Article  VI. 

■  DUTIES    AND     PRIVILEGES    OF     MEMBERS. 

1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  members  of  every  class  to  pro- 
mote the  interests  of  the  society  in  every  way  possible, 
by  securing  for  the  society  such  information  and  such 
articles  as  will  be  of  value  in  accomplishing  the  purpose 
of   the   organization. 


lilSTORICAL    SOCIETY  1G5 

2.  Annual  and  lil'c^  members  shall  he  entitled  to  all 
the  ])rivileges  of  the  society,  including  admission  to  the 
museum  and  lilirary.  Corresponding  and  honorary  mem- 
bers shall  be  entitled  to  admission  to  the  museum  and  li- 
brary. 

Article  VII. 

DUTIES    OF    OFFICERS. 

1.  The  duties  of  the  president,  vice-presidents,  secretary, 
and  treasurer  shall  be  such  as  are  usually  performed  by 
these  officers. 

2.  The  libi-arian  shall  be  the  custodian  of  the  pro])- 
erty  of  the  society,  and  shall  manage  it  according  to  the 
rules  adopted  by  the  board  of  managers. 

8.  Tlie  board  of  managers  shall  have  charge  of  all 
the  interests  of  the  society  in  the  interim  of  the  annual 
meetings.  They  shall  meet  quarterly.  Special  meetings 
may  be  called  by  the  president.  Five  shall  constitute  a 
quorum. 

4.  The  treasurer,  librarian,  and  board  of  managers  shall 
render  repoi-ts  to  the  society  at  the  annual  meeting. 

Article  Till. 

PROPERTY. 

All  the  property  of  the  society,  except  its  funds,  shall  be 
deposited  in  a  room  or  rooms  provided  for  the  purpose,  and 
:«hall  be  open  for  the  inspection  of  the  members  of  the  so- 
<iety  and  others,  under  such  restrictions  and  regulations  as 
n^ay  be  adopted  by  the  board  of  managers  ;  and  in  no  case 
shall  any  article  of  any  kind  be  removed  from  the  museum 
oi-  depository,  except  by  order  of  the  board  of  managers, 
and  then  only  for  a  limited  time.  The  depository  shall  con- 
tain, under  the  same  restrictions  and  regulations,  for  tke 
benefit  of  the  members,  a  librai'y,  to  be  formed  as  i-apidly 
as  circumstances  will  permit. 

Article   IX. 

FUNDS. 

1.  All  funds,  after  necessary  expenses  are  paid,  shall  be 
appropriated  to  the  enlargement  and  preservation  of  the 
museum  and  library. 

2.  All  bequests  of  money  made  to  the  society  shall  bff 
funded  under  the  direction  of  the  board  of  managers,  and 
the  interest  thereof  used  for  ordinary  expenses. 


166  DISCIPLINE 

Article  X. 

MEETING  vS. 

Tlie  society  shall  meet  annually  for  the  purpose  of  elect- 
ing officers  and  transacting  other  necessary  business. 
Twenty-five  shall  constitute  a  quorum.  The  time  of  meet- 
ing of  the  society  and  the  board  shall  be  determined  by  the 
board. 

Article  XL 

AMENDMENTS. 

This  constitution  may  be  amended  at  any  annual  meet- 
ing by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  members  present,  provided 
that  the  proposed  amendment  shall  have  been  previously 
appro^'ed  by  the  board  of  managers,  and  published  in  the 
Religious   Telescope. 


PART  VII. 

Boundaries. 
chapter  xxiv. 

Bishops'  Districts.^ 

1.     East  District, 
Allegheny,    East    Pennsylvania,    Erie,    Pennsylvania,    Vir- 
ginia,   West    Virginia,    East    Ohio,    Southeast    Ohio,    Miami, 
West  Africa,  and  Porto  Rico. 

II.     Central  District. 

Sandusky,  Indiana,  White  River,  St.  .Joseph.  Michigan, 
Ohio  German,  Lower  Wabash,  Northern  Illinois.  Wisconsin, 
and  Minnesota. 

III.     West  District. 

Iowa  State,  Missouri,  Northeast  Kansas,  Southwest  Kan- 
sas, Northwest  Kansas,  Neosho,  East  Nebrasi^n,  West  Ne- 
braska, North  Nebraska,  Colorado,  Oklahoma,  North  Texas. 

IV.     Pacific  Disteict. 
Oregon,    Columbia    River,    California,    China,    Japan,    and 
Philippine  Islands. 

V.     Southern  District. 

Kentucky.  East  Tennessee,  West  Tennessee,  Chickamauga, 
Louisiana,  and   Georgia. 

^By  order  of  the  Ceneral  Conference  each  bishop  is  required 
to  reside  witliin  the  bounds  of  his.  own  district. 


167 


CHAPTER    XXY. 

Annual   Conference  Districts. 
The  bouudaries  of  the  conferences  shall   be  as  follows : 

ALLEGHENY. 

1.  Beginning  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Mercer  County, 
Pennsylvania :  thence  along  the  soutliern  line  of  Mercer  and 
A'enango  counties  to  Clarion  County ;  thence  north  along 
tlie  eastern  line  of  Venango  County  to  Warren  County : 
thence  along  the  southern  line  of  Warren,  INIcKean,  and 
Potter  counties  ;  thence  north  along  the  eastern  line  of  Pot- 
ter County  to  the  New  York  State  line ;  thence  along  the 
State  line  between  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  to  the  north 
lu'anch  of  the  Susquehanna  River ;  thence  along  the  west 
line  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  and  Pennsylvania  confer- 
ences to  the  State  of  Maryland  ;  thence  along  the  south  line 
of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  to  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
State  ;  thence  along  the  State  line  to  the  place  of  beginnings 

CALIFORNIA. 

2.  California  Conference  embraces  the  State  of  CalifovuiH. 

CIIICKAMAUGA. 

o.  Chickauiauga  Conference  embraces  the  State  of  Ten- 
nessee and  the  country  south,  wherever  cliurches  are  organ- 
ized among  the  colored  peo-ple. 

COLORAnO. 

4.  Colorado  Conference  includes  the  Slates  of  Colorado, 
^A'yoming,  and  Utah. 

COLUMBIA   RIVER. 

5.  Beginning  on  the  northern  boundary  of  the  State  of 
Washington  ;  thence  south  along  the  Cascade  Mountains  to 
the  Columbia  River ;  thence  up  the  Columbia  River  to  the 
mouth  of  the  John  Day  River;  thence  south  along  said  river 
to  its  source ;  thence  east  to  the  Oregon  line,  including  all 
the  territory  of  Washington  and  Oregon  east  of  the  line 
above  given,  and  also  the  State  of  Idaho. 

168 


ANNUAL   CONFERENCE   DISTRICTS  160 

EAST    NEBRASKA. 

6.  Beginning-  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Douglas  County, 
Nebraska ;  thence  west  to  the  Platte  River ;  thence  along 
said  river  to  the  West  Nebraska  Conference  line ;  thence 
south  on  said  line  to  the  southern  boundary  line  of  Ne- 
braska ;  thence  east  to  the  southeast  corner  of  said  State ; 
thence  north  along  the  east  line  of  said  State  to  the  point 
of  beginning.  The  town  of  Chester,  in  Thayer  County, 
Nebraska,  to  belong  to  Northwest  Kansas  Conferepce.  (Fre- 
mont, on  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad,  to  belong  to  North 
Nebraska   Conference.) 

EAST   OHIO. 

7.  Beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  the  State  of 
Ohio  ;  thence  south  along  the  State  line  and  the  Ohio  River 
to  Marietta  ;  thence  up  the  Muskingum  River  to  a  point  op- 
posite the  northwest  corner  of  Noble  County,  Ohio ;  then  due 
east  to  said  northeast  corner  of  Noble  County  ;  thence  north 
along  the  east  line  of  Muskingum  and  Guernsey  counties. 
Ohio ;  thence  west  along  the  north  line  of  Muskingum  and 
Licking  counties,  Ohio,  to  the  east  line  of  Delaware  County, 
Ohio  ;  thence  west  from  this  point  to  Delaware,  Ohio ;  thence 
north  along  the  eastern  boundary  of  Sandusky  Conference 
to  Sandusky  City.  Ohio ;  thence  eastward  along  the  north- 
ern boundary  of  the  State  of  Ohio  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

EAST   PENNSYLVANIA. 

8.  Beginning  at  the  northeast  boundary  of  the  State  of 
New  Jersey  on  the  Atlantic  Coast :  thence  along  the  said 
boundary  line  and  the  Delaware  River  to  the  northern  bound- 
ary of  Pennsylvania  ;  thence  westward  along  said  boundary 
to  the  north  branch  of  the  Susquehanna  River ;  thence  along 
said  river  to  the  junction  of  the  north  and  west  branches  of 
the  Susquehanna  River ;  thence  southward  along  the  east 
shore  of  the  Susquehanna  River  and  the  Chesapeake  Bay  to 
the  Atlantic  Ocean ;  thence  northward  along  the  Atlantic 
Coast  to  the  place  of  beginning.  Said  conference  shall  be 
the  legal  successor  of  Eastern  Conference  and  East  Penn- 
sylvania Conference.  All  rights,  interests,  bequests,  and 
obligations  of  said  conferences  shall  inhere  in  the  said  East 
Pennsvlvania  Conference. 


170  DISCIPLINE 

•      EAST   TENNESSEE. 

9.  East  Tennessee  Conference  embraces  all  the  territory 
in  Tensessee  lying  east  of  the  Cumberland  Mountains. 

ERIE. 

10.  Beginning  on  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  at  the  northwest 
corner  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania ;  thence  south  along  the 
State  line  between  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania  to  the  southwest 
corner  of  Mercer  County,  Pennsylvania;  thence  east  with 
the  line  as  described  in  the  bounding  of  Allegheny  Confer- 
ence to  the  New  York  State  line,  and  including  the  State  of 
New  York  and  all  that  part  of  Pennsylvania  embraced  within 
the  above-described  limits ;  provided,  that  Orangeville  Cir- 
cuit be  included  in  Erie  Conference. 

GEORGIA. 

11.  Georgia  Conference  embraces  all  the  States  of  Geor- 
gia and  Florida. 

INDIANA. 

12.  Indiana  Conference  embraces  all  territory  in  Indiana 
south  of  the  following  line :  Beginning  at  the  northwest 
corner  of  Sullivan  County  eastward  to  White  River,  thence 
up  White  River  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Monroe  County, 
thence  eastward  along  north  line  of  Monroe,  Brown,  and 
Bartholomew  counties,  thence  northward  and  eastward  along 
the  north  line  of  Decatur,  Fayette,  and  Union  counties  to 
the  Ohio  line.  It  becomes  the  legal  successor  of  those  parts 
of  divided  Upper  Wabash  Conference  lying  within  these 
limits.  Lewis  Class  in  Vigo  County  and  Middleburn,  Briley, 
and  Beech  classes  in  Clay  County  are  included  in  Indiana 
Conference. 

IOWA   STATE   CONFERENCE. 

13.  Iowa  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  State  of  Iowa. 

KENTUCKY. 

14.  Kentucky  Conference  embraces  all  the  State  of  Ken- 
tucky, except  Covington  and  Newport,  which  belong  to  Miami 
Conference. 

LOUISIANA. 

1.5.  Louisiana  Conference  embraces  the  States  of  Louisi- 
ana, Mississippi,  and  Alabama. 


A?«NUAL   CONFERENCE    DISTRICTS  171 

LOWER   WABASH. 

IG.  The  Lower  Wabash  Conference  includes  all  the  terri- 
tory in  the  JState  of  Illinois  south  of  the  line  described  in  the 
southern  boundary  of  the  Northern  Illinois  Conference,  to- 
gether with  Danville  Station,  Danville  Circuit,  and  that  part 
of  Gessie  Circuit  lying  in  Illinois,  and  Oakwood  Circuit. 

MIAMI. 

17.  Beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Miami  River ; 
thence  north  along  the  western  boundary  of  the  State  of 
Ohio,  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Darke  County,  Ohio ;  thence 
eastward  along  the  Sandusky  Conference  line  to  Sidney, 
Ohio ;  thence  to  the  east  line  of  Champaign  County,  Ohio  : 
thence  southwest  along  the  east  line  of  the  counties  of 
Champaign,  Clarke,  and  Greene  to  the  north  line  of  Clinton 
County ;  thence  west  on  the  north  line  of  Clinton  County 
to  the  northeast  corner  of  Warren  County ;  thence  south  on 
the  east  line  of  Warren  County  to  the  north  line  of  Clermont 
County ;  thence  west  on  the  north  line  of  Clermont  County 
to  the  east  line  of  Hamilton  County  ;  thence  south  on  the 
east  line  of  Hamilton  County  to  the  Ohio  River ;  thence 
down  the  Ohio  River  to  the  place  of  beginning ;  provided, 
that  the  cities  of  Newport  and  Covington,  in  the  State  of 
Kentucky,  and  the  Rockdale  Church,  in  the  State  of  Indiana, 
shall  belong  to  the  Miami  Conference. 

MICHIGAN. 

18.  The  Michigan  Conference  embraces  all  the  State  of 
Michigan. 

MINNESOTA. 

19.  The  Minnesota  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  State 
of  Minnesota. 

MISSOURI. 

20.  The  Missouri  Conference  embraces  the  State  of  Mis- 
souri. 

NEOSHO. 

21.  Beginning  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Chautauqua 
County,  Kansas ;  thence  north  to  the  south  line  of  North- 
east Kansas  Conference ;  thence  due  east  to  the  State  line ; 
thence  to  the  south  line  of  Kansas ;  thence  west  on  the  south 
line  of  Kansas  to  the  place  of  beginning. 


172  DISCIPLINE 

NORTHEAST    KANSAS.^ 

22.  Begiuuiug-  at  the  center  of  the  north  line  of  Wash- 
ington County,  Kansas ;  thence  clue  south  to  the  Republican 
River ;  thence  clown  said  river  to  its  mouth  ;  thence  south 
to  the  north  line  of  Southwest  Kansas  Conference ;  thence 
east  to  the  State  line;  thence  north  to  the  north  line  of 
the  State ;   thence  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

^  Note. — It  was  resolved  to  submit  to  the  Northeast  Kansas 
Conference  and  the  Northwest  Kansas  Conference  respectively, 
the  question  of  their  union  to  form  a  conference  to  be  called  the 
North  Kansas  Conference,  to  be  determined  by  majority  vote  of 
the  members  of  each  of  said  conferences. 

NORTHERN  ILLINOIS. 

23.  Northern  Illinois  Conference  embraces  all  the  terri- 
tory of  the  State  of  Illinois  north  of  the  following-described 
line:  Beginning  at  the  point  on  the  State  line  east  of  Dan- 
ville where  the  Big  Four  Railroad  enters  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois, thence  west  along  the  line  of  said  railroad  to  the  Illi- 
nois Central  Railroad  at  Champaign,  thence  south  along  the 
Illinois  Central  Railroad  to  Tolono,  thence  west  along  the 
line  of  the  Wabash  Railroad  to  the  Illinois  River,  thence 
along  said  river  to  its  mouth,  including  also  Springfield.  De- 
catur, and  Oakley  Circuit.  This  conference  is  hereby  de- 
clared to  be  in  all  respects  the  legal  successor  of  the  now 
divided  territory  of  the  Upper  Wabash  Conference  falling 
within  the  above-described  lines. 

The  State  line  between  Indiana  and  Illinois  is  hereby 
made  the  boundary  between  all  conferences  in  the  States  of 
Indiana  and  Illinois,  provided  that  all  territory  which  for- 
merly cooperated  with  Westfield  College  still  continue  to 
do  so. 

■'  "^"^  '  NORTH    NEBRASKA. 

'24.  This  conference  embraces  all  that  part  of  the  State 
of  Nebraska  which  lies  east  and  north  of  the  following 
boundary  line,  to  wit :  Beginning  with  the  north  line  of 
Town  twenty-four  in  Nebraska ;  thence  east  on  said  line  to 
the  sources  of  Cedar  River ;  thence  down  said  river  to  Fuller- 
ton  ;  thence  south  to  the  Platte  River ;  thence  east  along  the 
Platte  River  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Douglas  County. 
Nebraska  ;  thence  east  along  the  north  boundary  line  of  said 
county  to  the  northeast  corner  of  said  county,  and  all  the 
State  of  South   Dakota. 


ANNUAL    CONFERENCE   DISTRICTS  173 

NORTH   TEXAS. 

25.  North  Texas  Conference  inchides  the  territory  within 
the  following  limits :  Beginning  at  the  southwest  corner  of 
New  Mexico  and  running  east  on  the  line  between  Texas 
and  New  Mexico  and  through  Texas  to  the  one  hundredth 
meridian ;  thence  north  along  this  meridian  across  the  strip 
of  Oklahoma  to  the  Kansas  State  line,  severing  from  the 
Oklahoma  Conference  and  embracing  in  the  Texas  Confer- 
ence the  counties  of  Beaver,  Texas,  and  Cimarron ;  thence 
along  the  southern  line  of  Kansas  west  to  the  northwest 
corner  of  New  Mexico,  thence  south  to  the  place  of  beginning, 
El  Paso,  Texas,  however,  also  to  be  included. 

NORTHWEST    KANSAS. 

26.  Beginning  on  the  northern  boundary  of  Ivansas  at 
the  center  of  Washington  County ;  thence  south  to  the 
Republican  River ;  thence  down  said  river  to  its  mouth ; 
thence  due  south  to  the  north  line  of  Southwest  Kansas  Con- 
ference ;  thence  west  to  the  Colorado  line ;  thence  north  to 
the  Nebraska  line ;  thence  east  to  the  place  of  beginning. 
That  Chester,  in  Thayer  County,  Nebraska,  belong  to  North- 
west Kansas  Conference. 

OHIO   GERMAN. 

27.  Ohio  German  Conference  embraces  the  States  of 
Ohio,  Kentucky,  Indiana,  and  Illinois.  Permission  is  also 
granted  to  go  into  any  of  the  Western  States  or  Territories, 
Avhere  doors  of  usefulness  may  be  open  to  labor  among  the 
German  population. 

OKLAHOMA. 

28.  Oklahoma  Conference  is  made  to  embrace  all  the  ter- 
ritory within  the  State  lines  of  Oklahoma,  including  the 
part  lying  east  of  the  Arkansas  River,  which  is  hereby 
detached  from  the  Neosho  Conference,  but  excluding  Beaver, 
Texas,  and  Cimarron  counties,  which  are  hereby  detached 
from  the  Oklahoma  Conference. 

OREGON. 

29.  Oregon  Conference  embraces  in  its  territory  all  the 
States  of  Oregon  and  Washington  not  occupied  by  the 
Columbia  River  Conference. 


174  DISCirLINE 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

30.  Begiuniug  at  the  mouth  of  the  Juniata  River ;  thence 
along  said  river  westward  to  the  crest  of  the  Tuscarora 
Mountains ;  thence  southward  along  the  crest  of  said  moun- 
tains to  the  State  of  Maryland  ;  thence  westward  along  the 
Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  State  lines  to  the  northwest 
corner  of  Washington  County,  Maryland ;  thence  southward 
along  the  western  boundarj^  of  said  county  to  the  Potomac 
River ;  thence  along  said  river  to  the  Chesapeake  Bay ; 
thence  eastward  along  the  coast  to  the  mouth  of  the  Susque- 
hanna River ;  thence  northward  along  said  river  to  the  place 
of  beginning.  Said  conference  shall  be  the  legal  successor 
of  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  conferences.  All  rights,  in- 
terests, bequests,  and  obligations  belonging  to  said  confer- 
ences shall  inhere  in  the  said  Pennsylvania  Conference. 

SANDUSKY. 

31.  Beginning  at  Sandusky,  Ohio ;  thence  south  along  the 
Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad  to  Shelby  Junction ;  thence 
south  and  west  along  the  Big  Four  Railroad  to  Delaware 
and  Marysville,  Ohio ;  thence  west  along  the  south  line  of 
Logan  County  to  Sidney,  Ohio ;  thence  west  on  a  straight 
line  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Darke  County,  Ohio ;  thence 
west  to  the  west  line  of  the  State  of  Ohio  ;  thence  north 
along  the  State  line  to  the  northwest  corner  of  the  State 
line  of  Ohio ;  thence  east  to  Sandusky,  Ohio,  the  place  of  be- 
ginning. Sidney,  Gallon,  Shelby,  and  Chicago,  Ohio,  to  be- 
long to  the  Sandusky  Conference.  The  Sandusky  Confer- 
ence to  become  and  to  be  the  true  and  legal  successor  of 
Auglaize  and  North  Ohio  conferences,^  and  all  proportionate 
property  rights,  interests,  and  legacies  vested  in  the  said 
Auglaize,  North  Ohio,  and  Central  Ohio  conferences,  in  pro- 
portion to  the  membership  of  said  conferences  in  its  bounds, 
shall  inhere  in  the  said  Sandusky  Conference. 

^The  journals  of  the  said  conferences  to  be  placed  in  the 
Church  Historical  Society  depository  at  the  United  Brethren 
Pnblisliing  House. 

SOUTHWEST    KANSAS. 

32.  Beginning  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Cowell  County, 
Kansas,  and  running  due  north  to  and  including  Strong  City. 
Kansas ;  thence  west  to  the  Colorado  State  line ;  thence 
south  to  the  south  line  of  the  State  of  Kansas  ;  thence  east 


ANNUAL   CONFERENCE   DISTRICTS  175 

along  the  south  line  of  Kansas  to  the  west  line  of  Neosho 
Conference. 

t 

SOUTHEAST   OHIO. 

33.  Beginning  at  Delaware,  Ohio ;  thence  along  the 
boundary  line  of  East  Ohio  Conference  in  a  southeasterly 
direction  to  Marietta,  Ohio ;  thence  down  the  Ohio  River 
to  the  east  line  of  Hamilton  County,  Ohio ;  thence  to  the 
northwest  corner  of  Clermont  County ;  thence  along  the 
north  line  of  Clermont  County  to  the  east  line  of  Warren 
County,  Ohio :  thence  northward  on  the  east  line  of  the 
counties  of  Warren,  Greene,  Clarke,  and  Champaign  to  the 
south  line  of  Sandusky  Conference ;  thence  eastward  along 
said  line  to  Delaware  Ohio,  the  place  of  beginning.  Said 
conference  to  be  the  legal  successor  of  Scioto  and  Central 
Ohio  conferences.  All  rights,  interests,  and  bequests  of  said 
conferences  within  these  bounds  shall  inhere  in  the  said 
Southeast  Ohio  Conference. 

ST.    JOSEPH. 

34.  St.  Joseph  Conference  embraces  all  territory  north  of 
the  following-described  line :  Beginning  at  the  southwest 
Corner  of  Warren  County,  thence  east  on  said  county  line 
to  the  Wabash  River,  thence  up  said  river  to  the  Tippecanoe 
County  line,  thence  south  to  the  Montgomery  County  line, 
thence  east  on  said  county  line  to  Hamilton  County ;  thence 
north  to  Howard  County ;  thence  east  on  Howard  County 
line  to  Grant  County ;  thence  north  on  Grant  County  line 
to  Wabash  County ;  thence  west  and  north  on  Wabash 
County  line  to  the  Wabash  River ;  thence  along  the  Wabash 
River  to  the  Ohio  State  line.  It  hereby  becomes  legal  suc- 
cessor to  those  parts  of  the  divided  Upper  Wabash  Confer- 
ence that  lie  within  these  described  lines. 

VIRGINIA. 

35.  The  Virginia  Conference  embraces  the  State  of  Vir- 
ginia :  also,  that  part  of  West  Virginia  lying  east  of  the 
west  boundary  lines  of  the  counties  of  Grant  and  Pendleton 
of  said  State;  also,  Allegheny  County,  Maryland,  and  that 
part  of  Garrett  County,  Maryland,  lying  east  of  the  boun- 
dary of  West  Virginia  Conference.  (The  S wanton  and 
Bethlehem  churches  to  belong  to  West  Virginia  Conference.) 


176  DISCIPLINE 

WEST   NEBRASKA. 

30.  Begiuniug  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Hamilton 
County ;  thence  south  to  the  Thayer  County  line ;  thence 
east  six  miles ;  thence  south  to  the  Nebraska  State  line ; 
thence  west  to  the  southwest  corner  of  the  State  of  Ne- 
braska ;  thence  north  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Perkins 
County,  Nebraska ;  thence  west  to  the  west  Nebraska  State 
line ;  thence  north  to  the  line  of  the  North  Nebraska  Con- 
ference ;  thence  east  and  south  along  the  boundary  of  said 
conference  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

WEST    TENNESSEE. 

37.  West  Tennessee  C'onference  embraces  all  the  territory 
of  the  State  of  Tennessee  lying  west  of  the  Cumberland 
Mountains. 

WEST    VIRGINIA. 

38.  Beginning  with  the  summit  of  the  Allegheny  Moun- 
tains at  the  line  between  Pennsj'lvania  and  Maryland ; 
thence  along  the  summit  of  said  mountains  southwest  to 
the  Grant  County  line ;  thence  along  the  west  line  of  said 
county  to  Pendleton  County ;  thence  along  the  west  line  of 
said  county  to  the  Virginia  State  line;  thence  along  the 
State  line  to  the  Kentucky  State  line ;  thence  north  to  the 
Ohio  River ;  thence  with  said  river  to  the  Pennsylvania 
State  line  ;  thence  east  on  said  line  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ning. 

WHITE    RIVER. 

39.  White  Kiver  Conference  consists  of  all  the  territory 
in  the  State  of  Indiana  lying  between  Indiana  Conference 
and  St.  Joseph  Conference,  as  defined  under  those  heads, 
and  becomes  legal  successor  of  such  parts  of  divided  Upper 
Wabash  Conference  as  fall  within  these  limits,  and  to  such 
part  of  Lower  Wabash  Conference  as  lie  within  same  limits. 

W^ISCONSIN. 

40.  Wisconsin  Conference  embraces  all  the  State  of  Wis- 
consin. 


ANXUAL   COXFEREXCE    DISTRICTS  177 


Foreign  Mission  Conferences. 

CHINA. 

The  China  Foreign  Mission  Conference  embraces  the  ter- 
ritory occupied  by  the  United  Brethren  missions  in  Southern 
China,  with  Canton  as  headquarters. 

JAPAN. 

The  .Japan  Foreign  Mission  Conference  embraces  the  ter- 
ritory occupied  by  the  United  Brethren  missions  in  central 
portion  of  .Japan,  with  Tokyo  as  headquarters. 

PHILIPPINES. 

The  Philippine  Foreign  Mission  Conference  embraces  the 
territory  occupied  by  the  United  Brethren  missions  in 
T'nion  Province,  and  portions  of  adjacent  sub-provinces, 
Philippine  Islands. 

PORTO   RICO. 

The  Porto  Rico  Foreign  Mission  Conference  embraces  the 
territory  occupied  by  the  T'nited  Brethren  Church  in  the 
I'once  District,  Porto  Rico. 

west    AFRICA. 

The  West  Africa  Foreign  Mission  Conference  embraces 
the  territory  occupied  by  the  United  Brethren  missions  in 
Sierra  Leone,  West  Africa. 


PART  VIII. 

Formulas  and  Forms. 
chapter  xxvi. 

Formulas. 
Sectiox   I. 

RECEPTIOiN^    OF    MEMBERS. 

When  at  any  meeting  there  are.  persons  who  desire  to  unite 
ivith  the  Church,  the  offlciating  minister  shall  call  the 
applicants  fortoard  and  address  than  as  follows: 

Dear  Friends  :  Inasmuch  as  you  present  yourselves  for 
admission  into  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
we  rejoice  with  you  that  through  the  grace  of  God  you  have 
been  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  have  been 
made  partakers  of  his  great  salvation.  The  privileges  you 
seek  are  above  price,  and  the  duties  enjoined  are  solemn. 
It  is  proper  that  you  publicly  confess  your  faith  and  avow 
your  purpose  by  answering  the  following  questions : 

Questions  to  applicants: 

(1)  Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God,  and 
that  therein  only  is  contained  the  knowledge  of  the  way  of 
salvation  ? 

(2)  Do  j^ou  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Son  of  God 
and  do  you  accept  him  as  your  personal  Savior? 

(3)  Are  you  detennined  by  the  grace  of  God  to  follow 
Christ,  renouncing  the  world  and  all  ungodliness,  seeking  to 
lead  a  life  of  holiness  and  devotion  to  God  and  his  cause? 

(4)  Are  you  willing  to  be  governed  by  our  Church  Dis- 
cipline, and  will  you  contribute  to  the  support  of  the  gospel 
as  God  prospers  you? 

(5)  Have  j'ou  been  baptized? 

[If  the  answer  to  this  question  be  in  the  negative,  then 
the  applicant  shall  be  instructed  to  attend  to  the  duty  as 
soon  as  practicable.] 

If  the  persons  answer  the  above  questions  in  the  affirma- 
tive, and  no  lawful  objections  be  made  by  any  member,  then 
the  preacher  shall  give  his  right  hand  to  such  persons  as 
members  of  our  Church.     Then  the  members  of  the  Church 

178 


FORMULAS  179 

will   stand,   and   the   minister   will   repeat   this   covenant   as 
follows  : 

"Do  you,  the  members  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ,  enter  into  a  covenant  with  this  applicant  [or 
these  applicants]  for  membership,  and  promise  to  watch  over, 
instruct,  counsel,  and  cherish  him  [or  her  or  them]  with  all 
long-suflEering,  gentleness,  and  love?" 

The  Church  Avill  then  answer,  "By  the  grace  of  God  we 
will."  After  w^hich  the  hand  of  fellowship  may  be  extended. 
The  preacher  shall  then  register  the  names  of  the  accepted 
members  in  the  Church  record. 

Section  II. 

THE  BAPTISiE  OF  ADULTS. 

Our  Lord  commanded  his  apostles,  saying,  "Go  ye  there- 
fore and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit"  i  Matt. 
28:19).  On  the  day  of  Pentecost,  the  multitude,  under 
the  preaching  of  the  word,  "were  pricked  in  the  heart,  and 
said  unto  Peter  and  to  the  rest  of  the  apostles.  Men  and 
brethren,  what  shall  we  do?  Then  Peter  said  unto  them. 
Repent,  and  be  baptized  every  one  of  you  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ  for  the  remission  of  sins,  and  ye  shall  receive 
the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit"    (Acts  2 :  37,  38). 

"Then  they  that  gladly  received  his  word  were  baptized  : 
and  the  same  day  there  were  added  unto  them  about  three 
thousand  souls"   (Acts  2  :  41 ) . 

Philip,  the  evangelist,  went  down  to  the  city  of  Samaria, 
and  preached  Christ  to  the  people.  And  "when  they  believed 
Philip  preaching  the  things  concerning  the  kingdom  of  God, 
and  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  they  were  baptized,  both  men 
and  women"    (Acts  8:12). 

Dearly  beloved,  it  has  pleased  God,  in  his  infinite  mercy, 
to  awaken  you  to  a  sense  of  your  guilt  and  danger,  and  to 
lead  j'ou,  as  we  humbly  trust,  to  repentance  and  faith  in  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  By  presenting  yourself  for  this  holy 
sacrament,  you  declare  your  purpose  to  lead  a  new  life,  and 
to  seek  an  inheritance  with  the  righteous  in  the  "house  not 
made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens." 

Do  you  now  solemnly  consecrate  j^ourself  to  Christ  and 
his  service ;  and  will  you  endeavor  henceforth  to  keep  God's 
holy   commandments  and  to  walk   in   the  same  all   the  davs 


180  DISCIPLINE 

of  .vonr  life?      If  so,  answer,  "I  will  endeavor  so  to  do,  the 
Lord  being  my  helper," 

The  minister  shall  then  'bapti::e  the  candidate,  the  service  to 
he  concluded  with  a  short  prayer  and  henediction. 

Section  III. 

THE   BAPTISM   OF   CHILDREN. 

"And  they  brought  j'Oung  children  to  him,  that  he  should 
touch  them :  and  his  disciples  rebuked  those  that  brought 
them.  But  when  Jesus  saw  it,  he  was  much  displeased, 
and  said  unto  them,  Suffer  the  little  children  to  come  unto 
me,  and  forbid  them  not :  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of 
God.  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  Whosoever  shall  not  receive 
the  kingdom  of  God  as  a  little  child,  he  shall  not  enter 
therein.  And  he  took  them  up  in  his  arms,  put  his  hands 
upon  them,  and  blessed  them"    ( M'ark  10 :  13-16. ) 

In  presenting  this  child  for  baptism,  j^ou  not  only  signify 
your  faith  in  the  Christian  religion,  of  which  baptism  is 
an  ordinance,  but  also  your  desire  that  he  [or  she]  may 
early  know  and  follow  the  will  of  God,  may  live  and  die 
a  Christian,  and  attain  unto  everlasting  life. 

In  order  to  do  this,  it  will  be  your  duty  as  parents  [or 
guardians]  to  teach  him  [or  her]  early  the  fear  of  the 
Lord;  to  watch  over  his  [or  her]  education,  that  he  [or 
she]  be  not  led  astray;  to  direct  his  [or  her]  youthful  mind 
to  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  his  [or  her]  feet  to  the  sanctu- 
ary; to  restrain  him  [or  her]  from  evil  associates  and 
habits  :  and,  as  much  as  in  you  lies,  to  bring  him  [or  her] 
up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord. 

Will  you  endeavor  so  to  do,  by  the  help  of  God?  If  so, 
answer,  "I  will." 

The  minister  shall  then  hapthe  the  child,  repeating  the  full 
name  of  the  same,  saying: 

I  baptize  thee  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son, 
and  of  the  Holy  Spirit.     Amen. 

.4?/  to  he  followed  hy  a  short  prayer  hy  the  minister. 
Section  IV. 

THE  HOLY   COMMUNION. 

"He  is  despised  and  rejected  of  men ;  a  man  of  sorrows, 
and  acquainted  with  grief :  and  we  hid  as  it  were  our  faces 
from  him  ;  he  was  despised,  and  we  esteemed  him  not.      Surp- 


FORMULAS  181 

\y  he  hath  born  our  griefs,  and  carried  our  sorrows ;  yet 
we  did  esteem  him  stricken,  smitten  of  God,  and  afflicted. 
But  he  was  wounded  for  our  transgressions,  he  was  bruised 
for  our  iniquities  :  the  chastisement  of  our  peace  was  upon 
him;  and  with  his  stripes  we  are  healed"   (Isa.  53:3-5). 

"And  when  the  hour  was  come,  he  sat  down  and  the  twelve 
apostles  with  him.  And  he  said  unto  them,  With  desire 
I  have  desired  to  eat  this  passover  with  you  before  I  suffer : 
for  I  say  unto  you,  I  will  not  any  more  eat  thereof,  until  it 
be  fulfilled  in  the  kingdom  of  God.  And  he  took  the  cup, 
and  gave  thanks,  and  said,  Take  this,  and  divide  it  among 
yourselves  :  for  I  say  unto  you,  I  wU\  not  drink  of  the  fruit 
of  the  vine,  until  the  kingdom  of  God  shall  come.  And  he 
took  bread,  and  gave  thanks,  and  brake  it,  and  gave  unto 
them,  saying.  This  is  my  body  which  is  given  for  you  :  this 
do  in  remembrance  of  me.  Likewise  also  the  cup  after  sup- 
per, saying,  This  cup  is  the  new  testament  in  my  blood, 
which  is  shed  for  you"   (Luke  22  :  14-20). 

"For  I  have  received  of  the  Lord  that  which  also  I  de- 
livered unto  you.  that  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  same  night  in 
which  he  was  betrayed  took  bread  :  and  when  he  had  given 
thanks,  he  brake  it,  and  said.  Take,  eat :  this  is  my  body, 
which  is  broken  for  you :  this  do  in  remembrance  of  me. 
After  the  same  manner  also  he  took  the  cup,  when  he  had 
supped,  saying.  This  cup  is  the  new  testament  in  my 
blood  :  this  do  ye,  as  oft  as  ye  drink  it,  in  remembrance  of 
me.  For  as  often  'as  ye  eat  this  bread,  and  drink  this  cup. 
ye  do  shew  the  lord's  death  till  he  come"  (I.  Cor.  11  : 
23-26). 

As  many  of  you  as  truly  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  are 
now  invited  to  draw  near,  and  humbly  receive  these  elements 
in  memory  of  the  suffering  and  death  of  your  Lord  and 
Savior. 

Singing. 

Prayer. 

Administration  of  the  elements. 

Section  V. 

Ordixation  of  Elders. 

[Ou  the  day  appointed  for  ordination  services  a  suitable  ser- 
mon shall  be  preached,  whenever  practicable.  The  officiating 
bishop  (or  elder  in  the  absence  of  a  bishop)  shall  call,  if  they 
be  present,  one  or  more  elders  to  assist  him  in  the  cereoionies 
of  ordination.] 


182  DISCIPLINE 

1.       ADDRESS    TO    THE    CANDIDATES. 

After  the  names  of  the  candidates  have  ieen  read  aloud, 
the  bishop  for  elder)  shall  address  them  as  follows: 
Aji  elder  "must  be  blameless,  as  the  steward  of  God ;  not 
selfwilled,  not  soon  angry,  not  given  to  wine,  no  striker, 
not  given  to  filthy  lucre ;  but  a  lover  of  hospitality,  a  lover 
of  good  men,  sober,  just,  holy,  temperate ;  holding  fast  the 
faithful  word  as  he  hath  been  taught,  that  he  may  be  able 
by  sound  doctrine  both  to  exhort  and  to  convince  the  gain- 
say ers"    (Tit.  1:7-9). 

Are  you  assured  that  you  are  inwardly  moved  by  the 
Holy  Ghost  to  take  upon  you  the  office  of  the  ministry  to 
serve  God  in  the  church  of  Christ  to  the  honor  and  glory  of 
his  holy  name?     If  so,  answer,  "I  trust  I  am." 

Do  you  believe  the  Holy  Scriptures,  Old  and  New  Tes- 
taments?     If  so,  answ^er,  ''I  do  believe  them." 

Will  j'ou  apply  due  diligence  to  frame  and  fashion  your 
life  according  to  the  doctrines  of  Christ,  and  to  make  your- 
self, as  much  as  in  you  lies,  a  wholesome  example  to  the 
flock  of  Christ?  If  so,  answer,  "I  will,  the  Lord  being  my 
helper." 

Will  you  loyally  maintain  the  doctrines  and  polity  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  and  devote  your- 
self with  all  possible  zeal  and  faithfulness  to  the  extension 
of  the  Master's  kingdom  in  whatever  field  you  may  be  as- 
signed from  time  to  time  in  the  ministerial  service?  If  so, 
answer,  "I  will  endeavor,  through  the  grace  of  God,  to  do 
so." 

2.       PRAYER. 

By  the  officiating  bishop. 

3.       CHARGE    TO    THE    CANDIDATES. 

After  the  prayer  the  bishop  and  elders  shall  lay  their  hands 
upon  the  heads  of  each  of  them,  and  the  bishop  shall 
say: 

Take  thou  authority  to  execute  the  ofiice  of  an  elder 
in  the  church  of  God,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of 
the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit.      Amen. 

Hereupon  the  bishop  or  elder  shall  deliver  to  each  of  them 
the  Holy  Bible,  saying: 

Take  thou  authority  to  preach  the  word  of  God  and  to 
administer  the  ordinances  in  the  church  oi   Christ. 


FORMULAS  183 

4.       PRAYER. 

By  the  bishop  or  one  of  the  elders. 

5.       SCRIPTURE   ADMONITIOJNT. 

After  the  prayer  the  'bishop  shall  read  Luke  12:35-38. 

"Let  your  loins  be  girded  about,  and  your  lights  burn- 
ing; and  ye  yourselves  like  unto  men  that  wait  for  their 
lord,  when  he  will  return  from  the  wedding ;  that  when  he 
cometh  and  knocketh,  they  may  open  unto  him  immediately. 
Blessed  are  those  servants  whom  the  lord  when  he  cometh 
shall  find  watching ;  verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  he  shall 
gird  himself,  and  make  them  to  sit  down  to  meat,  and  will 
come  forth  and  serve  them.  And  if  he  shall  come  in  the 
second  watch,  or  come  in  the  third  watch,  and  find  them 
so,  blessed  are  those  servants." 

6.       BENEDICTION. 

The  following  benediction  is  to   be  pronounced: 

The  peace  of  God  keep  your  hearts  and  minds  in  the 
knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.      Amen. 

Section  VI. 

HOME    MISSION    consecration    SERVICE    AND   PROGRAM. 

Dearly  Beloved  :  You  have  been  appointed  as  mission- 
ary to    and  are  commissioned  to  carry  the 

bread  of  eternal  life  to  souls  who  will  perish  without  it. 

Listen  to  the  word  of  the  Lord  (Acts  2:21),  "And  it 
shall  come  to  pass,  that  whosoever  shall  call  on  the  name  of 
the  Lord  shall  be  saved."  Romans  10 :  14,  15,  "How  then 
shall  they  call  on  him  in  whom  they  have  not  believed?  and 
how  shall  they  believe  in  him  of  whom  they  have  not  heard? 
and  how  shall  they  hear  without  a  preacher?  and  how  shall 
they  preach  except  they  be  sent?" 

We  believe  that  under  the  direction  of  the  Lord  the  Home 
Missionary  Society  is  about  to  send  you  out  to  preach  the 
living  word  to  perishing  souls. 

Question.  Have  you  a  deep,  abiding  love  for,  and  an 
absorbing  interest  in  the  salvation  of  souls?  and  have  you 
felt  especially  called  of  God  to  this  work?  If  so,  answer: 
"I  trust  I  have." 

God's  Word  says  (Acts  26:16)  :  "But  arise  and  stand 
upon  thy  feet :  for  I  have  appeared  unto  thee  for  this  pur- 
pose, to  make  thee   a  minister  and  a  witness  both  of  these 


184  DISCIPLINE 

things  which  thou  hast  seen,  aud  of  those  things  in  the 
which  I  will  appear  unto  thee."  (Acts  1:8):  "Ye  shall  be 
witnesses  unto  me  both  in  Jerusalem,  and  in  all  Judea,  and 
in  Samaria,  aud  unto  the  uttermost  part  of  the  earth.'' 
Acts  26  :  18  :  "To  open  their  eyes,  and  to  turn  them  from 
darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God, 
that  thej^  may  receive  forgiveness  of  sins,  and  inheritance 
among  them  which  are  sanctified  by  faith  that  is  in  me." 

Question.  Are  you  willing  to  work  under  the  direction  of 
the  Home  Missionary  Society  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  and  will  you  devote  your  time  and  energy  to  this 
work  to  which  they  have  appointed  you?  If  so,  answer,  "I 
Avill,  the  Lord  being  my  helper." 

It  is  God's  will  (Luke  24:47,  48)  "that  repentance  aud 
remission  of  sins  should  be  preached  in  his  name  among  all 
nations,  beginning  at  Jerusalem.  And  ye  are  witnesses  of 
these  things." 

Question.  Do  you  then  publicly  dedicate  yourself  to  God 
and  his  work,  who  has  said  if  j^ou  will  "go,"  "Lo,  I  am 
with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world"?  If  so. 
answer,  "I  do." 

PROVISIONAL    PROGRAM. 

(To  be  used  in   connection   with   above   service.) 

1.  Song.  (Otterbein  Hymnal  No.  419,  "I  Love  to  Tell 
the  Story.") 

2.  Scripture.     II.  Timothy  4  :  1-8. 

3.  Song.  (Otterbein  Hymnal  No.  411,  "Rescue  the  Per- 
ishing.") 

4.  Explanatory  Remarks. 

5.  Remarks  by  Candidates. 

G.  Song.     (Otterbein  Hymnal  No.  277,  "Take  My  Life.") 

7.  Charge  to  Candidates. 

8.  Reading  of  Consecration  Service. 

9.  C'onsecratory  Prayer. 

10.  Song.      (Otterbein  Hymnal  No.  542,  "America.") 

11.  Benediction. 

Section  VII. 
foreign  imissionary  consecration  and  commission 

SERVICE. 

(Suggested  Program.) 
1.     Song.      (Hymns   for   the    Sanctuary   No.    771.    "Stand 
uj)  for  .Tesus."  ) 


FORMULAS  185 

2.  Scripture  lesson,  Romans  10  :  12-15  ;  Acts  20  :  lG-20 
and  13 :  47-49. 

3.  Prayer. 

4.  Song.  (Hymns  for  the  Sanctuary  No.  867.  ''How 
Firm  a  Foundation.") 

5.  Introductory  Words. 

6.  Remarks  by  the  Candidates. 

7.  Song.  (Hymns  for  the  Sancti>ary  No.  895.  "Jesus 
Shall  Reign.'") 

8.  Charge  to  the  Candidates. 

COMMISSION   AND   CONSECRATION   SERVICE. 

9.  The  representative  of  the  Board  shall  then  address 
the  candidates  as  follows : 

"And  Jesus  came  and  spake  unto  them,  saying,  All  power 
is  given  unto  me  in  heaven  and  in  earth.  Go  ye  therefore, 
and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  teaching 
them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I  have  commanded 
you  :  and,  lo.  I  am  with  you  alway,  even  tinto  the  end  of 
the  world."     Matt.  28  :  18-20. 

You  have  listened  to  the  command  which  Christ  gave  to 
his  first  disciples  and  which  constitutes  his  church  a  mis- 
sionary church  in  all  ages.  You  believe  that  this  command 
applies  to  all  followers  of  Christ  to-day,  and  that  it  is  in- 
cumbent upon  them,  in  so  far  as  may  be  possible,  to  devote 
their  lives  to  the  extension  of  his  kingdom  in  the  earth. 
Earnestly  seeking  to  obey  this  command,  you  are  convinced 
that  it  is  your  duty  and  privilege  to  engage  in  the  service  of 
Christ  in  a  foreign  land.  You  have  heard  the  call  of  God 
sounding  in  the  depths  of  your  own  soul  and  summoning 
you  to  this  high  endeavor.  This  call  you  have  found  to  be 
confirmed  by  the  circumstances  of  your  life,  the  opinion  of 
your  friends,  and  the  judgment  of  this  Board.  In  recogni- 
tion of  these  facts,  and  following,  as  we  believe,  the  leader- 
ship of  the  Holy  Spirit,  we  desire  to  set  you  apart  to  the 
work  of  a  foreign  missionary,  to  witness  for  Christ  in  non- 
Christian  lands,  and  to  bestow  upon  you  the  commission  of 
the  Foreign  Missionary  Society. 

Question.  Have  you  a  deep  love  for  souls,  and  a  strong 
passion  for  their  salvation,  and  have  you  felt  especially 
called  of  God  to  missionary  work?  If  so,  answer.  "I  trust 
I  have." 


186  '  DISCIPLINE 

Question.  Do  you  give  yourself  unreservedly  to  the  work 
of  Christ  in  the  land  to  which  you  have  been  assigned?  In 
humble  reliance  upon  the  divine  help,  do  you  make  it  the 
purpose  of  your  life  to  walk  with  Christ  as  his  missionary? 
faithful  in  word  and  deed,  and  in  hearty  cooperation  with 
your  fellow-workers,  under  the  direction  of  this  Board?  If 
so,  answer,  "I  do." 

I,  then,  by  virtue  of  the  authority  bestowed  upon  me  by 
the  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  do  present  you  with  this  commission  : 

The  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren IN  Christ. 

Dayton,  Ohio,  U.  S.  A. 
To  All  to  Whom  This  Shall  Come,  Christian  Greetings. 

This  certifies   that    

is  appointed  a  missionai-y  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  our 

Lord,  to   ,  under  the  direction 

and  regulations  of  THE  FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SO- 
CIETY of  the  UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST,  and  is 
entitled  to  all  the  rights  and  privileges  attaching  to  that 
office. 

Given  this day  of ,  19 .  .  . 


President  of  Board. 
Chairman  of  Executive  Committee. 

General  Secretary. 


"Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature." 

10.  Prayer  of  Consecration. 

11.  Song.  (Hymns  for  the  Sanctuary  No.  612,  "Chil- 
dren of  the  Heavenly  King.") 

12.  Benediction. 

Section   VIII. 
the  consecration  of  a  deaconess. 

After  a  suitable  religious  introductory  service  has  been 
held,  the  officiating  bishop  (or  elder  in  the  absence  of  the 
bishop),  may  call  other  elders,  if  they  be  present,  to  assist 
in  the  consecration  service. 


FORMULAS  187 

To  he  read  hy  the  officiating  hiiihoi): 

There  were  deaconesses  as  well  as  deaeous  iu  the  apostolic 
church.  This  is  evident  from  the  words  of  l*aiil  to  the 
Christians  at  Rome  (Rom.  16:1)  :  "I  commend  unto  you 
Phebe,  our  sister,  who  is  a  deaconess  [according  to  the 
marginal  reading  of  the  Revised  Version]  of  the  church  that 
is  at  Cenchrea."  In  the  same  chapter  the  apostle  salutes 
Priscilla,  Mary,  Tryphsena,  and  Tryphosa  as  those  "who 
labor  in  the  Lord." 

In  Paul's  first  letter  to  Timothy  (I.  Tim.  3:11)  he  di- 
rected that  deaconesses  should  be  "grave,  not  slanderers, 
temperate,  faithful  in  all  things." 

In  the  church,  immediately  succeeding  the  time  of  the 
apostles,  we  have  historical  evidence  of  the  order  of  deacon- 
esses. Pliny,  writing  in  the  early  part  of  the  second  cen- 
tury, mentioned  the  presence  and  work  of  deaconesses  in  the 
churches  of  Bithynia. 

The  duties  of  a  deaconess  in  the  early  Christian  church 
were  substantially  the  same  as  those  of  a  deacon.  Their 
work  was  a  high  and  holy  calling,  requiring  sacrificial  and 
unselfish  service.  In  no  case  was  it  sought  except  for  the 
love  of  Christ  and  humanity.  . 

We  believe  that  the  aim  and  purpose  of  a  deaconess  to-day 
should  be  to  minister  as  Jesus  did  to  the  wants  of  a  sin- 
laden  and  suffering  world.  She  should  visit  the  sick,  pray 
with  the  dying,  relieve  the  poor,  care  for  the  orphans,  counsel 
sinners  to  seek  the  Savior,  and  perform  such  other  Christ- 
like services  as  may  be  needed. 

Because  of  the  sacredness  of  the  work  of  a  deaconess,  only 
such  as  feel  specially  led  by  the  Spirit  and  the  providence  of 
God  should  enter  upon  it.  It  is  proper  that  all  persons, 
having  received  the  divine  call,  and  having  been  tested  and 
trained  during  a  reasonable  period  of  time,  should  be  sol- 
emnly set  apart  to  this  holy  vocation  in  the  Church. 

Therefore,  in  harmony  with  what  we  believe  to  be  the 
spirit  and  intent  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  in  accordance 
with  the  usages  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  we  proceed  in  solemn  manner  to  consecrate  to  the 
work  of  a  deaconess  sister   

The  following  question  should  he  asked: 
My  dear  sister,  do  you  assume  the  duties  of  a  deaconess  in 
the  Church   of  the  United   Brethren   in   Christ,   and  do  you 


188  DISCIPLINE 

agree  to  perform  faithfully  those  duties  which  are  prescribed 
in  our  Book  of  Discipline?     If  so.  answer,  "I  do."' 

Prayer  of  con  sea  of  to  )i. 

Delivery  of  certificate. 

Song,  ^^Take  my  life  and  let  if  he." 

Benedictory  prayer. 

Sectiox  IX. 

LAYIXG    CORXER-STOXE. 

The  officiafing  minister  shall  say: 

Beloved  :  In  ancient  time  God  commanded  his  servant 
Moses  to  set  up  the  tabernacle  in  the  wilderness,  and  be- 
stowed his  blessing  upon  Solomon,  the  king,  in  erecting  the 
temple  in  Jerusalem,  whither  the  tribes  came  up  to  worship. 
In  like  manner  he  has  moved  your  hearts  to  erect  a  sanctu- 
ary, where,  in  years  to  come,  his  people  may  assemble  for 
prayer  and  praise.  We  have  met  together  at  this  time  to 
lay  the  corner-stone  with  proper  religious  services. 
The  following  order  of  services  may  then  he  ohserved: 

1.  Singing. 

2.  Reading  of  Script n  re.       (Ps.  132;  I.  Cor.  3:8-23.) 

3.  Prayer. 
^.     Singing. 

5.  Sermon  or  address. 

6.  Collection. 

7.  Laying  of  stone. 

The  minister,  standing  hy  the  s.tone,  shall  ewhihit  the  hox  to 
he  deposited,  and  read  the  list  of  contents.  Then  the 
minister,  assisted  hy  the  huilder,  shall  deposit  the  hox  and 
adjust  the  stone  to  its  resting-place.  This  done,  the  min- 
ister shall  strike  the  stone  thrice  tvith  a  trotvel,  or  ham- 
mer, and  say: 

In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  we  lay  this  coiner-stone  in  the  foundation  of 
a  house  to  be  erected  and  dedicated  for  the  worship  of  God. 
wherein  his  word  shall  be  preached  and  his  worship  main- 
tained.     Amen. 

8.  Singing. 

9.  Benediction. 


FORMULAS  189 

Section  X. 

CHURCH  DEDICATION. 

TJie  foUoicing  order  of  service  may  he  used: 

1.  Scripture  reading.      (Pf^.  84;  or,  Isa.  62  and  Ps.  122.) 

2.  Singing. 
S.     Prayer. 
'f.     Singing. 

5.  Sermon. 

6.  Offering. 

7.  Singing. 

!^.     Scripture  reading,  icitli   congregation   standing. 

"But  will  God  indeed  dwell  on  the  earth?  behold,  the 
heaven,  and  heaven  of  heavens,  cannot  contain  thee;  how 
much  less  this  house  that  I  have  builded?  Yet  have  thou 
respect  unto  the  prayer  of  thy  servant,  and  to  his  supplica- 
tion. O  Lord  my  God,  to  hearken  unto  the  cry  and  unto  the 
prayer  which  thy  servant  prayeth  before  thee  to-day :  that 
thine  eyes  may  be  open  toward  this  house  night  and  day, 
even  toward  the  place  of  which  thou  hast  said.  My  name 
shall  be  there :  that  thou  mayest  hearken  unto  the  prayer 
which  thy  servant  shall  make  toward  this  place.  And 
hearken  thou  to  the  supplication  of  thy  servant,  and  of  thy 
people  Israel,  when  they  shall  pray  toward  this  place  :  and 
hear  thou  in  heaven  thy  dwelling  place :  and  when  thou 
hearest,   forgive. 

"If  any  man  trespass  against  his  neighbour,  and  an  oath 
be  laid  upon  him  to  cause  him  to  swear,  and  the  oath 
come  before  thine  altar  in  this  house :  then  hear  thou  in 
heaven,  and  do,  and  judge  thy  servants,  condemning  the 
wicked,  to  bring  his  way  upon  his  head ;  and  justifying  the 
righteous,   to  give  him  according  to  his  righteousness. 

"When  thy  people  Israel  be  smitten  down  before  the  enemy, 
because  they  have  sinned  against  thee,  and  shall  turn  again 
to  thee,  and  confess  thy  name,  and  pray,  and  make  supplica- 
tion unto  thee  in  this  house  :  then  hear  thou  in  heaven  and 
forgive  the  sin  of  thy  people  Israel,  and  bring  them  again 
unto  the  land  which  thou  ga^'est  unto  their  fathers. 

'*^Yhen  heaven  is  shut  up.  and  there  is  no  rain,  because 
they  have  sinned  against  thee :  if  they  pray  toward  this 
place,  and  confess  thy  name,  and  turn  from  their  sin,  when 
thou  afflictest  them  :   then  hear  thon  in   heaven,  and  forgive 


190  DISCIPLINE 

the  sin  of  thy  servants,  and  of  thy  people  Israel,  that  thou 
teach  them  the  good  way  wherein  they  should  walk,  and 
give  rain  upon  thy  land,  which  thou  hast  given  to  thy 
people  for  an  inheritance. 

"If  there  be  in  the  land  famine,  if  there  be  pestilence, 
blasting,  mildew,  locust,  or  if  there  be  caterpiller ;  if  their 
enemy  besiege  them  in  the  land  of  their  cities ;  whatsoever 
plague,  whatsoever  sickness  there  be :  what  prayer  and  sup- 
plication soever  be  made  by  any  man,  or  by  all  thy  people 
Israel,  which  shall  know  every  man  the  plague  of  his  own 
heart,  and  spread  forth  his  hands  toward  this  house :  then 
hear  thou  in  heaven  thy  dwelling  place,  and  forgive,  and 
do,  and  give  to  every  man  according  to  his  ways,  whose 
heart  thou  knowest ;  (for  thou,  even  thou  only,  knowest  the 
hearts  of  all  the  children  of  men ; )  that  they  may  fear 
thee  all  the  days  that  they  live  in  the  land  which  thou 
gavest  unto   our  fathers. 

"Moreover,  concerning  a  stranger  that  is  not  of  thy  people 
Israel,  but  cometh  out  of  a  far  country  for  thy  name's  sake ; 
(for  they  shall  hear  of  thy  great  name,  and  of  thy  strong 
hand,  and  of  thy  stretched  out  'arm;)  when  he  shall  come 
and  pray  toward  this  house ;  hear  thou  in  heaven  thy  dwell- 
ing place,  and  do  according  to  all  that  the  stranger  calleth 
to  thee  for:  that  all  thy  people  of  the  earth  may  know  thy 
name,  to  fear  thee,  as  do  thy  people  Israel ;  and  that  they 
may  know  that  this  house,  which  I  have  builded,  is  called 
by  thy  name"    (I.  Kings  8:27-43). 

"We  will  go  into  his  tabernacles  :  we  will  worship  at  his 
footstool"    (Ps.  132:  7). 

"For  the  Lord  hath  chosen  Zion  ;  he  hath  desired  it  for 
his  habitation.  This  is  my  rest  forever:  here  will  I  dwell; 
for  I  have  desired  it.  I  will  abundantly  bless  her  provision  ; 
I  will  satisfy  her  poor  with  bread.  I  will  also  clothe  her 
priests  with  salvation :  and  her  saints  shall  shout  aloud 
for  joy"   (Ps.  132:  13-16). 

"Now,  my  God,  let,  I  beseech  thee,  thine  eyes  be  open, 
and  let  thine  ears  be  attent  unto  the  prayer  that  is  made 
in  this  place.  Now  therefore  arise,  O  Lord  God,  into  thy 
resting  place,  thou,  and  the  ark  of  thy  strength :  let  thy 
priests,  O  Lord  God,  be  clothed  Math  salvation,  and  let  thy 
saints  rejoice  in  goodness"   (II.  Chr.  6:40,  41). 

"Blessed  be  the  Lord   God  of  Israel   from   everlasting  to 


FORMULAS  191 

everlasting :   and   let  all   the   people   s'ay,    Amen.       Praise   ye 
the  Lord"    (Ps.  106:48). 

9.  Dedicatory  Prayer. 

And  now,  Lord  God  of  our  fathers,  we  give  this  house  to 
thee.  As  thy  people  have  builded  it  for  thy  worship  and 
glory,  we  pray  that  thou  wilt  accept  it  in  the  name  of  thy 
Son  our  Savior,  and  manifest  thyself  approvingly  to  all  who 
have  given  to  this  work  with  a  sincere  desire  to  honor  thee 
and  to  save  men.  As  thou  didst  dwell  in  the  temple  at 
Jerusalem,  so  make  this  thy  resting  place.  Show  forth  thy 
power  and  glory  here  from  time  to  time  in  the  salvation  of 
sinners,  and  in  the  edification  of  thy  people.  When  thy 
servants  preach  the  word  in  this  house,  be  thou  in  them, 
and  accompany  the  truth  by  thy  Holy  Spirit,  to  the  hearts 
of  all  who  shall  hear.  And  when  thy  people  meet  in  this 
place  for  prayer  and  praise,  reveal  thyself  graciously  to  their 
faith,  and  vouchsafe  unto  them  the  joys  of  thy  great  salva- 
tion. Preserve  this  house,  we  beseech  thee,  from  fire  and 
storm,  and  make  it  a  very  great  blessing  to  as  many  as  shall 
worship  before  thine  altar.  May  the  people  remember  that 
this  is  thy  house — the  place  where  thy  honor  dwelleth — and 
approach  it  with  reverence  and  gladness.  And  not  only 
accept  this  house,  but  accept  also  our  hearts  as  we  dedicate 
them  anew  to  thee.  Cleanse  them  and  make  them  fit  temples 
for  the  indwelling  of  thy  Spirit.  Accept,  we  pray  thee,  all 
we  bring  in  this  hour  of  consecration,  sealing  it  with  thine 
own  approval.  And  at  last  gather  us  all  into  that  eternal 
temple  not  made  with  hands,  and  thy  name,  the  Father,  the 
Son.  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  worthy  and  glorious,  shall  have 
all  the  praise  evermore.      Amen. 

10.  Address  to  the  trustees  at  the  dedication  of  a  church, 
the  trustees  standing  in  front  of  the  altar. 

Brethren  :  You  have  been  selected  by  the  church  to  hold 
the  honorable  and  responsible  place  of  trustees  of  this  house 
of  worship,  now  dedicated  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God. 
In  this  office  you  represent  the  church,  and  will  act  on  its 
behalf  and  for  its  welfare,  but  in  no  sense  forget  the  in- 
terests of  the  community  which  are  identified  with  the  house 
of  God. 

It  is  your  duty  to  protect,  and  to  improve  or  repair  this 
building  and  grounds  as  occasion  may  arise ;  also,  to  pro- 
vide suitable  fuel.  and.  further  to  employ  a  janitor,  who  shall 


192  DISCIPLINE 

open  and  close  the  bouse  for  all  appointed  services,  keepin«' 
it  properlj^  warmed  during  the  cold  weather,  correctly  ven- 
tilated at  all  times,  and  alwaj'S  clean  and  inviting,  as  be- 
comes the  bouse   of  God. 

The  house  of  God  is  sacred  ;  it  is  God's  holy  temple,  where 
he  is  to  be  worshiped  in  the  beauty  of  holiness  and  love ; 
therefore,  do  nothing  in  vainglory,  but  by  love  serve  one 
another.  Nothing  should  enter  this  sacred  place  that  will 
defile  the  temple  of  God;  but  at  the  same  time  let  it  ever 
be  remembered  that  all  works  of  justice,  of  mercj^  of  love, 
of  helpfulness  of  whatsoever  kinds  are  proper  in  the  house 
of  God.  Anything  that  will  edify  men  will  glorify  God,  and 
should  not  be  foreign  to  this  house. 

You  are  only  a  part  of  the  persons  interested  in  this 
property  ;  secure  the  good  will  and  cooperation  of  all  of  them, 
so  far  as  possible,  in  all  your  plans.  You  hold  your  office 
at  the  option  of  the  quarterly  conference ;  therefore,  seek 
its  counsel  in  all  important  matters.  You  are  the  assist- 
ants of  the  pastor ;  honor  and  aid  him  in  all  the  work  of 
the  church. 

I  now  give  this  key  to  the  president  of  the  board  as  the 
symbol  of  your  authority.  I  pray  that  Christian  faith  and 
hope  and  love  may  dwell  in  your  hearts,  and  that  the  Holy 
Spirit  may  be  your  guide  and  comforter. 

11.  Delivery  of  the  keys  in  the  name  of  the  Trinity  to 
hold  in  trust  for  God   and   the   United  Brethren   in    Christ. 

12.  Doxology. 

13.  Benediction. 

Section  XI. 

THE    MARRIAGE    CEREMONY. 

The  minister  shall  say: 

We  are  gathered  together  in  the  sight  of  God  and  in  tht^ 
presence  of  these  witnesses,  to  join  together  N.  and  M.  as 
husband  and  wife.  The  institution  of  marriage  is  coeval 
with  the  family  of  man.  God  saw  that  it  was  not  good  for 
man  to  be  alone  even  in  paradise,  and  formed  and  gave  to 
him  woman,  that  she  might  be  a  "help  meet  for  him."  This 
union,  like  that  of  the  body  and  soul,  is  only  to  be  severed 
I)V  the  hand  of  death. 


FORMULAS  193 

Here  the  minister  may  say: 

If  any  person  present  knows  auj-  just  cause  or  impedi- 
ment whj'^  these  persons  should  not  be  joined  in  marriage, 
let  the  same  now  speak  or  forever  keep  silent. 

No   impediment  being   alleged,    the   minister,    addressing   the 
persons  to   he  married,   shall  further  say: 

Deeming  it  sufficient  to  refer  you  to  the  Holy  Scriptures 
concerning  the  duties  you  will  henceforth  owe  to  each  other, 
I  will  proceed  to  receive  your  mutual  plighted  faith,  and 
seal  your  marriage  vows. 

To  the  man:  — 

Will  you  have  this  woman  to  be  your  wedded  wife,  to 
live  with  her  after  God's  ordinance ;  will  you  love,  honor, 
comfort,  and  cherish  her,  in  sickness  and  in  health,  in  pros- 
perity and  adversity,  and  forsaking  all  others,  keep  yourself 
to  her  only,  so  long  as  you  both  shall  live?  If  so,  answer, 
''I  will." 

To  the  ivoman: 

\Yill  you  have  this  man  to  be  your  wedded  husband,  to 
live  wuth  him  after  God's  ordinance ;  will  you  love,  honor, 
comfort,  and  cherish  him,  in  health  and  in  sickness,  in 
prosperity  and  adversity,  and  forsaking  all  others,  keep 
yourself  unto  him  only,  so  long  as  you  both  shall  live?  If 
so,   answer,   "I   will." 

llie  minister  shall  then  join  their  right  hands,  and  placing 
his  right  hand  upon  theirs,  shall  say: 

Those  whom  God  hath  joined  together,  let  no  man  put 
asunder.  Inasmuch  as  you  have  consented  together  in 
marriage,  and  have  declared  the  same  before  God  and  in 
the  presence  of  these  witnesses,  I  pronounce  you  husband 
and  wife,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and 
of  the  Holy   Spirit.      Amen. 

The  minister  may   then   offer  a  brief  extempore  prayer,   to 
he  folloived   by  this  benediction: 

May  God  the  gracious  Father  bless,  preserve,  and  keep 
you ;  the  Lord,  mercifully,  with  his  favor,  look  upon  you, 
and  fill  j^ou  with  all  spiritual  blessings  and  grace,  that 
you  may  so  live  together  in  this  life  that  in  the  world  to 
come  you  mav  have  everlasting  life.      Amen. 


194  DISCIPLINE 

Section  XII. 

MARRIAGE    CEREMONY    WITH    RING. 

The  miyiister  shall  say: 

Dearly  beloved,  we  are  here  in  the  sight  of  God.  and  in 
the  presence  of  these  witnesses,  to  unite  together  these  two 
persons  in  holy  mai-riage.  They  have  passed  satisfactorily 
the  tests  and  requirements  of  the  family,  of  the  state,  and  of 
the  church,  and  now  stand  unchallenged  in  this  presence  to 
be  admitted  into  the  holy  state  commanded  by  the  Word 
of  God.   to  be  had  in  honor  among  all  men. 

It  is  becoming  that  this  marriage  relation  be  entered  into 
discreetly,  reverently,  advisedly,  soberly,  and  in  the  fear  of 
God.  I,  therefore,  a  minister  of  the  blessed  gospel,  entreat 
you  both  to  seek  the  help  of  God  in  this  moment  and  in  all 
your  privileges  and  duties,  that  his  love  and  grace  may 
make  your  union  fruitful  of  comfort  and  usefulness,  and  a 
furtherance  of  your  salvation  and  everlasting  life. 

To  the  man: 

Do  you  take  this  woman  before  God  and  these  witnesses 
to  be  your  wife?      If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Do  you  promise  to  love  and  honor  her,  defend,  support, 
and  comfort  her,  in  health  and  in  sickness,  in  joy  and  in 
sorrow,  in  prosperity  and  adversity?      If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Will  you  be  faithful  to  her  in  all  things,  and  endeavor 
to  be  a  good  husband  to  her  so  long  as  you  both  shall  live? 
If  so,  answer,  "I   will." 

To  the  ivoman: 

Do  you  take  this  man,  before  God  and  these  witnesses, 
to  be  your  husband?     If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Do  you  promise  to  love,  honor,  and  comfort  him,  in  joy 
and  in  sorrow,  in  health  and  in  sickness,  in  prosperity  and 
adversity?      If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Will  you  be  faithful  to  him  in  all  things,  and  endeavor  to 
be  a  good  wife  to  him  so  long  as  you  both  shall  live?  If 
so,   answer,  "I   will." 

What  token  and  pledge  do  you  offer  that  you  will  faith- 
fully perform  these  covenant  vows? 

The  man   shows  the  ring,  holding  it  in   his  right  hand,  and 
answers: 

This  ring. 


FORMULAS  195 

The  minister  shall  say  to  the  ivonian: 

Do  j'ou  accept  this  ring  in  token  of  the  same  covenant 
upon  your  part?      If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Then  the  man,  the  minister  guiding  his  right  hand,  shall 
place  the  ring  on  the  third  finger  of  her  left  hand,  and 
the  minister  shall  say: 

Let  us  pray. 
He  may  offer  an  extempore  prayer,  or  use  the  following: 

Our  Father  which  art  in  heaven,  thou  hast  recorded  the 
promises  of  these  thy  servants  now  made  to  each  other. 
We  entreat  thee  to  unite  their  hearts  and  lives  in  the  bond 
of  a  true  and  abiding  affection,  that  they  may  share  all 
the  blessings  of  a  happy  marriage.  Maf  their  lives  be 
presented  from  evil,  and  their  love  know  no  doubt,  but  grow 
in  purity  and  sweetness  with  the  number  of  their  years.  Be- 
stow upon  them  the  Holy  Spirit  and  true  heavenly  wisdom, 
that  they  may  be  preserved  from  all  things  which  have  a 
tendency  to  diminish  the  happiness  of  this  holy  estate. 
Enable  them  by  thy  grace  to  live  together  according  to  thy 
holy  will,  and  may  they  at  last  enter  into  eternal  life  and 
fellowship  with  thy  saints  in  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.      Amen. 

Tlien  shall  the  minister  request  them  to  join  their  right 
hands;  the  minister,  laying  his  right  hand  upon  theirs, 
shall  say  to  them: 

Inasmuch  as  you  have  covenanted  together  in  these  sacred 
bonds,  and  have  witnessed  the  same  by  this  token,  I  pro- 
nounce you  husband  and  wife,  in  the  name  of  the  Father, 
and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit.      Amen. 

What  therefore  God  hath  joined  together  let  no  man  put 
asunder. 

"Tlie  Lord  bless  thee,  and  keep  thee  :  the  Lord  make  his 
face  shine  upon  thee,  and  be  gracious  unto  thee :  the  Lord 
lift  up  his  countenance  upon  thee,  and  give  thee  peace." 
Amen. 

Section  XIII. 

BURIAL  OF  THE   DEAD. 

After  the  coffin  is  loivered  into  the  grave,  the  minister  shall 
repeat  the  following: 

"Man  that  is  born  of  a  woman  is  of  few  days  and  full 
of  trouble.      He  cometh  forth  like  a  flower,  and  is  cut  down  : 


196  DISCIPLINE 

he  fleetli  also  as  a  shadow,  and  continueth  not."  "Lord, 
make  me  to  know  mine  end,  and  the  measure  of  my  daj'S, 
what  it  is ;  that  I  may  know  how  frail  I  am." 

In  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in  death  ;  unto  whom  should 
we  seek  for  succor  but  unto  thee,  O  Lord,  who  for  our  sins 
art  justly  displeased?  Our  hope  is  in  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ, 
who  hath  said,  "I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life :  he  that 
believeth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live : 
and  whosoever  liveth  and  believeth  in  me  shall  never  die." 
"For  we  know  that  if  our  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle 
were  dissolved,  we  have  a  building  of  God,  an  house  not  made 
with   hands,    eternal    in    the   heavens." 

"And  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven,  saying  unto  me,  ^Yrite, 
Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from  hence- 
forth :  Yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their 
labors ;   and  their  works   do   follow  them." 

"There  shall  be  no  more  death,  neither  sorrow,  nor  cry- 
ing, neither  shall  there  be  any  more  pain  :  for  the  former 
things  are  passed  away." 

Inasmuch  as  God  in  his  wise  providence  has  called  out 
of  time  into  eternity  the  soul  of  our  brother  [sister,  or 
child],  we  commit  his  [or  her]  remains  to  the  ground,  earth 
to  earth,  ashes  to  ashes,  dust  to  dust,  in  the  confident  hope 
of  the  general  resurrection  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
at  his  coming  and  glory. 

Benediction. 

Section  XIV. 
In  case  the  Apostles'  Creed  or  Lord's  Prayer  be  used  in 
any  of  our  services,  the  following  forms  may  be  used : 

The  Lord's  Prayer. 
Our  Father  which  art  in  heaven.  Hallowed  be  thy  name. 
Thy  kingdom  come.  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is  in 
heaven.  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread.  And  forgive 
us  our  debts,  as  we  forgive  our  debtors.  And  lead  us  not 
into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from  evil :  For  thine  is  the 
kingdom,  and  the  power,  and  the  glory,  for  ever.      Amen. 

The  Apostles'   Creed. 

I  believe  in  God,  the  Father  Almighty,  maker  of  heaven 

and   earth ;    and   in   Jesus   Christ,    his   only   Son,    our   Lord ; 

who  was  conceived  by  the  Holy  Spirit;  born  of  the  Virgin 

Mary ;   suffered  under  Pontius  Pilate ;    was  crucified,   dead, 


FORMULAS  197 

and  buried ;  he  descended  into  hades.  The  third  day  he  arose 
from  the  dead  ;  he  ascended  into  heaven,  and  sitteth  on  the 
right  hand  of  God  the  Father  Almighty ;  from  thence  he 
shall  come  to  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead.  I  believe  in 
the  Holy  Spirit,  the  holy  catholic  church  ;  the  communion 
of  saints ;  the  forgiveness  of  sins ;  the  resurrection  of  the 
Itody;   and   the  life  everlasting.       Amen. 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 

Forms. 

Section  I. 

CERTIFICATES    AND    LICENSES. 

1.     Certificate  of  Transfer  of  Meinher. 

This   is   to  certify   that   A.  B.   is   an  acceptable  member 
of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  at 


Class,    — ■    Charge.    Conference,    and    is    hereby 

transferred    to   Society,    of   Charge,   

Conference. 

Pastor. 

[Date,  etc.] 

2.  Certificate  of  Membership. 

This  is  to  certify  that  A.  B.  is  a  member  in  good  stand- 
ing   of    the    Church   of    the    United   Brethren    in    Christ,    at 

,  and  is   hereby   recommended  to  the  confidence  and 

fellowship  of  Christians  everywhere. 

Pastor. 

[Date,  etc.] 

3.  Certificate  of   Withdraival. 

This  is  to  certify  that  A.  B.  has  been  until  this  date  a 
member  in  good  standing  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ,  at  ■ ,  and  at  request  is  granted 

this    letter    of    withdrawal    and    recommendation    from    the 
Church  by  a  vote  of  the  class. 

.  ; Pastor. 

[Date,  etc.] 

4-     Return    Certificate. 
This  is  to  certify  that  on  19 — ,  


was  received  into  the  fellowship  of  the ,  at 

on  a  certificate  from  the  Church  of  the 

United  Brethren  in  Christ,  at  . 

Pastor. 

Please  fill  out  and  return  to 

198 


FORMS  .  199 

5.     License  for  Quarterly-Conference  Preacher. 

This  is  to  certifj^  that  is  an  approved  preacher  of 

the  gospel  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
as  long  as  his  conduct  and  doctrine  are  conformable  with 
the  gospel  of  Christ,  as  held  by  this  Church.  Given  at  a 
quarterly  conference,  held  on charge,  an- 
nual conference,   this day  of  in  the  year  of 

our  Lord  .     Void  unless  renewed  annually. 

P.  E. 

[Date,  etc.] 

6.     License  for  Lay  Preacher. 

This  is  to  certify  that  is  an  approved  lay  preacher 

of  the  gospel  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
as  long  as  his  conduct  and  doctrine  are  conformable  with 
the  gospel  of  Christ,  as  held  by  this  Church.  Given  at  a 
quarterly  conference,  held  on  charge,  an- 
nual Conference,  this day  of  in  the  year 

of  our  Lord  .    Void  unless  renewed  annually. 

P.  K. 

[Date,  etc.] 

7.     Permanent  License  for  Quarterly-Conference  Preacher. 

This  is  to  certify  that  has  completed  the  course 

of    reading    required,    and    is    hereby    granted    a   permanent 

licensed  as  a  quarterly-conference  preacher  by charge, 

annual  conference,   in   the   Church   of  the  United 

Brethren  in  Christ. 

P.  E. 

[Date,  etc.] 

8.     Annual-Conference  Preacher s  License. 

This  is  to  certify  that  is  an  approved  preacher  of 

the  gospel  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
as  long  as  his  conduct  and  doctrine  are  conformable  with 
the  gospel  of  Christ.  Given  at  the annual  confer- 
ence, held  in  ,  this  day  of  in  the  year  of 

our  Lord,  .     Signed  in  behalf  of  said  conference. 

Bishop. 

[Date,  etc.] 

9.     Elders'  License. 

This  is  to  certify  that  is  an  approved  preacher  of 

the  gospel  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 


200  DISCIPLINE 

as  long  as  his  conduct  and  doctrine  are  conformable  with 
the  gospel  of  Christ,  and  has  been  ordained  to  the  office  of 
elder  by  the  laying  on  of  hands. 

Given   at   the  annual   conference  held    in 

this day  of in  the  year  of  our  Lord . 

Signed  and  sealed  in  behalf  of  said  conference. 

Bishop. 

[Date,  etc.] 

10.  Transfer  of  Preacher. 

This  is  to  certify  that  is  a  of  the  Church 

of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  of  Conference, 

and   is    hereby    transferred    to conference   of   said 

Church. 

Bishop. 

[Date,  etc.] 

11.  Deaconess'    Certificate. 

This  is  to  certify   that  is  an   approved   deaconess 

in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

Authorized  by  the  quarterly  conference  of  

charge,  annual  conference. 


.Presiding    Elder. 
Secretary. 


12.     Deaconess^  Certificate  of  Consecration. 

This  is  to  certify  that .  having  satisfactorily  com- 
pleted the  course  of  study  prescribed  in  our  Book  of  Dis- 
cipline, and  having  proven  herself  an  efficient  Christian 
worker,  has  been  consecrated  a  regular  deaconess  in  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren   in  Christ  by  the  laying  on 

of  hands  this  day  of in  the  year  of  our  Lord 

,  so  long  as  her  conduct  and  doctrine  are  conformable 

with   the  gospel   of  Christ  and   with   the  government  of  our 
Church, 

Place  of  consecration . 

[Signed] Bishop. 

Section  II. 

BEQUESTS. 

13.     The  Missionary  Societies. 

I  give  and  bequeath  to  the  Missionary  Society  of 

the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  organized  by  the  General  Con- 


FORMS  201 

ference  of  said  Church,  May  20,  1853,  and  incorporated  in 
Butler  County,  Ohio,  September  23,  1854,  and  reorganized 
by  the  General  Conference  at  Topeka,   Kansas,  May,  1905, 

the  sum  of  dollars  ;  and  the  receipt  of  the  treasurer 

of  the  society  shall  be  a  sufficient  discharge  thereof  to  my 
executors  and  administrators. 

[Name] 

IJ^.     The  Church-Erection  Society. 

I  bequeath  to  the  Church-Erection  Society  of  the  United 

Brethren  in  Christ  the  sum  of dollars,  to  be  invested 

according  to  the  constitution  of  this  society. 

[Name] . 

15.     Womati's  Missionary  Association. 
I  give,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  the  Woman's  Missionary 
Association  of  the  United  Brethren  in   Christ,   the  sum  of 

dollars,  to  be  applied  to  the  purposes  set   forth   in 

the  Articles  of  Incorporation  adopted  March  28,  1890. 

[Name] 


16.     Church  Trustees. 

I  give,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  the  "Trustees  of  the  Unit- 
ed Brethren  in  Christ,"  an  incorporation  located  at  Dayton, 
Ohio,  for  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 

,   Dollars, 

to  be  applied  as  follows : 

(Here  state  precisely  the  purpose  for  which  the  bequest  is 
made,  or  say.  "To  be  used  at  the  discretion  of  said  trustees  to 
promote  the  cause  of  Christianity  in  said  Church.") 


[Name] 


11.     Bonehrake  Theological  Seminary. 

I  give  and  bequeath  to  the  Bonebrake  Theological  Sem- 
inary of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  located  at  Dayton, 
Ohio,  authorized  by  the  General  Conference  of  said  Church  in 
Lebanon,  Pennsylvania,  May  2,  1869,  and  incorporated  ac- 
cording to  the  laws  of  Ohio,  the  sum  of  dollars ; 

and  the  receipt  of  the  business  manager  shall  be  a  sufficient 
discharge  thereof  to  my  executors. 

[Name] 


202 


DISCIPLINE 


Section  III. 

REPORTS. 

18.     Pastor  s  Report  to  the  Quarterly  Conference. 

QUARTERLY  REPORT. 

Annual  Conference,  United   Brethren   in  Christ. 


District. 

ni.ASiSRS    OR    FIELDS 

OP 

TiAROR- 

(  Station 

1  Circuit 

Missions. 

Quarter. 

19.  . 

a 

"3 

.a 

4-1 

o 

3 

OS 

'3 
p 

3 

.o 

2 

d 
o 

5 

a 

s 

-t-> 
o 

EH 

\o.    appointments. .  .  . 

No.  members  at  begin- 
ning     

No.  members  received 

...  -  -  - 

No.    members    lost .  .  . 

No.  members  at  pres- 
ent     

No    baptisms 

Discourses  preached. . 

Pastoral   visits 

Telescopes    

Watchwords     

Wotnan's   Evangels... 

No.    in    Home   Dept.  . 

:::  :;: 

\o     on    Cradle    Roll . 

No.    in   Adult   Bible 
Classes    

No.  in  entire  schools. 

No.  Young  People's 
Societies     

No.   Junior  Young 

No.  Woman's  Aid  So- 
cieties    

No.  W.  M.  A.    (local) 

>^).  in  Home  Mission 

Study  Classes    .... 

No.   in  Foreign  Mis- 

Collected  for  Pastor's 
Salary 

Collected    for   Presid- 
ing Elder's  Salary 

Collected  for  Home 
Missions     

Offerings   for   Foreign 

Offerings  for  Ch.  Erec- 
tion   (Easter  Offer- 
ings)         

Collected    for    Confer- 
ence Assessment   .  . 

Offerings  for   

Offerings  for    

Remarks 


Pastor. 


FORMS  203 

19.     Pastor  s  Quarterly  Report  to  the  Presiding  Elder. 
(Name  of  conference.) 

CHURCH   OF    THE    UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST. 

Quarter P.  E.  Superintendent,  19.  . 

P.   O.  Address. 

Name  of  Charge Name  and  P.  O.  of  Pastor 

No.  of  Members Salary  Promised Amt.  Pd 

Pastoral  Calls Sermons Funerals 

Marriages Conversions Baptisms 

Additions Losses 


1.   . 

NAME,    LOCATION,    AND    VALUE    OF    CHURCHES. 

o 

.3 

4 

5 

PARSONAGE,    LOCATION,    AND    VALUE. 

Improvements  on  Churches Parsonage 

Debts  on  Churches Debt  on  Parsonage 

Debts  pd.  on  Church Debt  pd.  on  Parsonage .  . . 

Insurance  on  Churches Insurance  on  Parsonage, 

STEWARDS. 

Name  and  Address  of  P.  E.  Stewards 


Assessment   for   P.   E Apportionment  to 

Classes Amount  paid 

Circuit  or  General   Steward 

Address 

CLASS    OR    DIVISION    STEWARDS. 


2. 

3. 
4. 
5. 

1. 
2 

3. 
4. 
5. 


CLASS  LEADERS. 


204  '  DISCIPLINE 


SUNDAY    SCHOOLS. 

Name  Supt.  P.  O.  Members     Av.  A 


1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 

5. 


YOUNG   people's    SOCIETIES. 

Place  President         Cor.  Secy.  Members 

1 

2 

3 

4 

Mission   Study Bible   Study Finance 

JUNIOR     SOCIETIES. 

Place Sup't Members ....   Money 

Place Sup't Members ....   Money 

Place Sup't Members.  .  .  .   Money 


men's      BROTHERHOODS. 

1.  Place President Secretary ....  Members . 

2.  Place President Secretary ....  Members . 

3.  Place President Secretary ....  Members , 

woman's    MISSIONARY   ASSOCIATION. 

Place President Members ....  Money .  .  , 

Place President Members ....  Money .  .  , 

Place President Members ....  Money .  .  , 

No.  of  Evangels No.  in  Study  Class in 


ladies'   AID    SOCIETY. 

Place President Members . 

Place Treasurer •.  $ .  .  , 


CHURCH    LITERATURE. 

No.  of  Religious  Telescopes 

No.  of  Watchwords 

No.  of  Woman^s  Evangels 

FINANCES. 

Raised  for  Ch.   Erection Home  Missions 

Foreign    Missions Sunday-school,    Brotherhood, 

and    Young    People's    Work Conference    Claims 

Specials 


FORMS  205 


Educational  Beneficiary 
Bonebrake  Seminary.  . . 


MISCELLANEOUS. 

No.  of  Mission  Study  Classes :   Foreign Home 

No.  of  Members  in  Study  Classes :  Foreign ....  Home-  .  .  . 

No  of  Christian  Stewardship  Classes No  of 

Members 

Local  Preachers 

Candidates  for  the  Ministry Licenses  Granted .... 

Openings  for  new  Sunday  Schools 

Openings  for  new  Preaching  Appointments 

Openings  for  new  Church  Building 

Students  in  College 

Prospective  College  Students 

20.     Sunday-School    Superintendent's   Report. 

Sunday  School. 

Quarter. 

[Date.] 

1.  Number  of  officers  and  teachers 

2.  Number  of  scholars  enrolled 

(a)  Cradle   Roll 

(b)  Beginners'  Class 

(c)  Primary  Department 

(d)  Intermediate  Department 

(e)  Senior  Department 

(f)  Adult  Department    (including  only  organized 
classes )    

3.  Average    attendance 

4.  Watchwords 

5.  Friend   for  Boys   and   Girls 

6.  Lessons   for   Our   Juniors 

7.  Lesson    Leaves 

8.  Quarterlies    (Intermediate   and   Senior) 

0.      Adult    Bible    Quarterly 

10.  Bible  Teachers 

11.  Home  Department  Quarterlies 

12.  Amount    of    Offering 

13.  Expenses  of  the  Quarter 

14.  Contributions   for   Missions 

Remarks 

Superintendent. 


20G  DISCIPLINE 

21.     Report  of  President  of  Young  People's  Society. 

Class,    Quarter. 

[Date.] 

1.  Number  of  members  at  begiuning  of  quarter : 

Active Associate 

Honorary 

2.  Members   received    

3.  Members   lost    

4.  Present  membership    

5.  Number  associate  members  converted 

6.  Number  meetings  held 

7.  Number  Watchwords  taken 

8.  Funds   collected    • 

9.  For  what  purposes 

10.     Remarks    


22.     Class-Leader's  Report. 
Class,    Quarter. 


.President. 


[Date.] 


1.  Number  of  members 

2.  Number  of  meetings  held 

3.  Average  attendance  

4.  Number  of  sick  and  delinquent  members  visited .  .  .  . 

Class-Leader. 


23.     Class-Steivard''s  Report. 
Class, Quarter. 


[Date.] 


1.  Apportionment  for  year 

2.  Amount  due  at  end  of  quarter. 

3.  Amount   paid    

4.  Deficit    

5.  Surplus    


Steward. 


2'/.     Annual   Report   of   Treasurer  of   Board   of   Church   or 

Parsonage  Trustees. 

1.     Receipts.  Dols.     Cts. 

(1)    By  subscriptions 


(2)  By  donations 

(3)  Interest    .  . . . 

(4)  Collections    .. 

(5)  Rents    


T«tal  receipts 


FORMS  207 


Disbursements.  Dols.     Cts. 

(1)  Erection  of Church  at  — — | I .  .  .  . 

(2)  Paid  on  debt— | \.  .  . 

(a)  Principal    I ! .  .  . 

(b)  Interest    I 

(3)  Paid  for  repairs   I 

(4)  For  improvements    i 


Total  disbursements 


Indebtedness.  Dols.     Cts. 

( 1 )  Principal     | I  .  .  . 

(2)  Interest    | | .  .  . 

(3)  Bills   unpaid    I I .  .  . 


Total   indebtedness 


4.  Number  of  meetings  held    

5.  Remarks    

Treasurer. 

Shction  IV. 

CONTRIBUTION  CARDS. 

25.     For  the  Support  of  Our  Local  Church. 

The  sum  necessarj^  to  meet  the  current  expenses  of  our 
local  church  this  year,  including  the  pastor's  salary,  will 
be  $ 

To  help  meet  these  expenses  I  desire  to  contribute  the 
weekly  amount  under  which  I  mark  X  in  the  space  below. 

Amount  Weekly  for  Local  Expense. 

$10.00    5.00    2.00    1.00    .75    .50    .35    .25     .15     .10    .05 

Name Date 

Address 

Note. — All  subscriptions  are  calculated  on  the  weekly  basis 
in  accordance  with  I.  Cor.  16  :  2.  However,  if  desired,  the  pay- 
ments of  this  subscription  may  be  made  monthly,  quarterly,  or 
in  cash  early  in  the  year, 

26.  Benevolence. 
Our  churches  should  introduce  a  weekly  system  of  giving 
for  benevolences  as  well  as  for  their  local  needs,  and  when 
a  congregation  introduces  such  a  system  it  should  be  relieved 
from  special  appeals  for  purposes  provided  for  in  the  weekly 
system.  As  a  suggestive  form  of  pledge  for  securing  the  be- 
nevolences, the  following  is  proposed  : 

The   United  Brethren  in   Christ ;    I^o  Preach   the   Gospel  to 

Others  at  Home  and  Abroad, 

Our  church  desires  to  raise  this  year  for  Foreign  Missions 
$ ;  for  Home  Missions  $ ;  for  Church  Efrectiou 


208  DISCIPLINE 

$ ;    for   Board    of    Sunday    School,    Brotherhood,    and 

Young  People's  Work  $ ;   for  Colleges  $ ;   for 

Bonebrake  Theological    Seminary  $ ;    for   Beneficiary 

Education  $ ;aud  other  benevolences  $ Total, 

$ 

I  will  give  the  weekly  amount  under  which  I  mark  X  in 
the  space  below,  for  the  above-named  objects : 

Weekly  Amount  for  All  Benevolences. 

$10.00    5.00    2.00    1.00    .75     .50    .35    .25    .15     .10    .05 

Name Date 

Address 

Note. — All  subscriptions  are  calculated  on  the  weekly  basis 
in  accordance  with  I.  Cor.  16  :  2.  However,  if  desired,  the  pay- 
ments may  be  made  monthly,  quarterly,  or  in  cash  early  in  the 
year.  Our  Lord  and  Master  will  be  pleased  to  have  every 
member  of  his  church,  including  the  children,  contribute  to  send 
his  gospel  to  others. 

For  Special  Object :  In  addition  to  the  above  pledge  I  de- 
sire to  give  to the  sum  of  $ 

ACTS   CONCERNING  DISCIPLINE. 

1.  That  any  parts  of  the  Discipline  not  in  harmony  with 
the  acts  of  this  General  Conference  are  hereby  repealed,  and 
the  editors  of  the  Discipline  are  authorized  to  make  all  parts 
of  the  same  harmonize. 

2.  That  J.  P.  Landis,  H.  F.  Shupe,  W.  O.  Fries,  and  W. 
R.  Funk  were  constituted  a  committee  to  edit  the  new  Dis- 
cipline. 

3.  That  the  new  Discipline  shall  be  in  effect  on  and  after 
August  15,  1909. 


INDEX. 


Absent  voters  for  General  Conference  delegates,  42. 

Absentees  from  annual  conference,  40. 

Academies,  157. 

Acts  concerning  Discipline,  208. 

Agent  of  Printing  Establishment : 

duties  of,  151. 

election  of,  150. 
Aid: 

from  Board  of  Education  to  students,  155. 

from  Church  Erection  Society,  146. 
Allegheny   Conference,  boundary  of,  168. 
Amenability  of  certified  members,  30. 
Annual  Conference  : 

absentees  from,  40. 

address  and  sermon  at,  59. 

appeals  from,  82,  83. 

appeals  to,  38,  77. 

authority  of,  40. 

benevolent  funds,  40. 

bishop  pro  tempore^  39. 

boundaries,  18,   168. 

business  sheet,  40. 

devotions,  39. 

electioneering  forbidden,  40. 

examination  of,  40,  44. 

examination  of   preachers.   40. 

examination  on  course  of  study,  77. 

lay  representation  in,  39. 

members  of,  39. 

order  of  business  at,  40. 

presiding   oflficers,    39,    57. 

secretaries,  39. 

sermon  and  address  at,  59. 

Sunday-school,  brotherhood,  and  young  people's  work,  92. 

trial   of   preachers,   60,   61. 
Apostles'  Creed,  196. 
Appeals  : 

court  of,  82. 

from  annual  conference,  82,  83. 

209 


210  IXDEX 

from  class,  28,  82. 

from  quarterly  confereuce.  38,  82. 

from   stationing  committee,   66. 

right  of,   19,   28. 

to  quarterly  conference,  37. 
Applicants  for  Church  membership  : 

acceptance   of  applicants,   22. 

committee  to  examine,  22. 

questions  to,  21. 
Apportionment  to  members,  38. 
Authorship  of  doctrinal  publications,  153. 

Baptism  : 

doctrine  of,   15. 

formula  for  adults.   179. 

formula  for  children,  180. 

upon  admission  into  the  Church,  21. 
Beneficiary  aid  : 

collections  for,  155. 

object,   154,    155. 

recommendations  for,   156. 
Benevolent  and  Educational  Institutions,  117. 
Benevolent  funds,  40,  207. 
Bequests  : 

forms   of,   200-201. 

General   Board  of  Church  Trustees,  91. 

Woman's  Missionary  Association,   131. 
Bible  cause,  52. 
Bishops  : 

address  and  sermon,  59. 

announcement    of    representation    in    the    General    Confer- 
ence, 41. 

annual  meeting  of,  58. 

attendance  at  conference,  57. 

council   meetings,   60. 

districts  of,   167. 

duties  of,   18,   57,   117.   121,   123,   124,   126.    129. 

educational  interests,  59. 

election  of,   18,   57. 

eligibility  to  office  of,  18. 

financial    interests,   59. 

ordination  of  preachers,  58. 

organization  of  mission  conferences,  59. 

presiding  at  conferences,  57. 

pro  tempore,  39. 

reports  of,   59. 

residences  of,  57. 

salaries  of.  57. 


INDEX  21 1 


special  sessions  of  conference,  58. 

stationing  preacliers,   60. 

supervision  of  foreign  work,  60. 

trial  of,  62. 

vacancy  in  office  of,   59. 
Board  of  Control,  92. 
Board  of  Education,  18,  154. 
Boards  of  Trustees,  44. 
Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary  : 

annual  collections  for,  161. 

business  manager  of,  160. 

custodian  of  funds,  161. 

directors  of,  159. 
duties  of,  160. 

endowment  funds,   161. 

entrance  examination,  162. 

obligation  of  faculty,  161. 

officers  of,   159. 

post-graduate   studies,   162. 

under  control  of  General  Conference.  18. 
Book  Committee,  152. 
Boundaries,   167. 

annual   conference,    168. 

bishops'   districts,   167. 
Branch   missionary  societies  : 

constituted,  how,   119,  125. 

funds,   119. 

secretary,   119,   125. 
Branch  society  W.   M.  A.,  constitution  of.   136. 
Brotherhood  work  : 

committees   and  duties  of,   100. 

constitution,  98. 

members,   99. 

object,   98. 

officers  and  duties  of,  99. 
Building  of  church-houses  and  parsonages.  88. 
Burial  of  the  dead,  formula  for,   195. 

California  Conference^  boundary  of,  168. 
Care  of  the  poor,   25. 
Central   District,   bishops",    167. 
Certificates : 

forwarding  of,  30. 

limitation   of,   30. 

of  deaconess,  form  of,  200. 

of   membership,   form   of,    198. 

of   non-resident    members,    transfer    of.    29. 

of  reception  of  members.   30. 

of  recommendation.  30. 


212  INDEX 

of  transfer  of  members,  form  of,   198. 

of  transfer  of  preacher,  form  of,  200. 

of  withdrawal,   form  of,   198. 
Chickamauga  Conference,   168. 
Children,  home  training  of,  69. 
Childrenls  Day,  96. 
China  Mission  Conference,   177. 
Christian  Stewardship,  115. 

text-book,   115. 

subscription  cards,  207,  208. 
Church  : 

disbanding  classes,   32. 

division   into   classes,   32. 

executive  council  of,  36. 

government  of,  32. 

local  organization,   32. 

origin   of,   9. 

trustees  of,   91. 
Church   clerk,   34. 
Church  deacons,  34. 
Church  Erection  Society  : 

administration  of  funds,   148. 

application  for  aid,   146. 

bequest   to,   2,01. 

branch   societies,    145. 

constitution   of,    144. 

duty  of  the  ministry,  147. 

Easter  offering.  146. 

granting  loans,  146. 

grant  fund,   147. 

insurance  for  security  of,  147.  • 

lot   fund,    148. 

loans,   146. 

meetings,    145. 

membership,    144. 

name,    144. 

object  of,  144. 

officers  of,   144. 
duties  of,   145. 

parsonage  fund,   148. 

treasurer,   receipts  of,    146. 

under  control  of   General   Conference.   18. 
Church  extension  funds,  119. 
Church-houses  : 

abandoned,   89. 

building  of,    88. 

conditions  of  mortgages  and  liens.  89. 

conference   or  district   property,   90. 

division  of  interest,   90. 


INDEX  213 

duties  -of  trustees,  87. 

electing  trustees,  87. 

formula  for  dedication   of,   189. 

plans  for,  90. 

real   estate,   90. 

sale  and  rent  of,  88. 

transfer  of,  89. 

vacancies  in  board  of  trustees,  87. 
Church  plans,  90. 
Church   publications,    152. 
Church  records,  revision  of,  67. 
Church  treasurer,  general,  45. 
Church   trustees,   91. 

Circulating  Church   literature,   duty  of,   67. 
Classes  : 

disbanding,  32. 

division  of  church  into,  32. 

local  church  organization,  32. 
Classification  of  ministry  ; 

classes,   52. 

how  determined,  53. 
Class-leaders  : 

dismissal  of,  33. 

duties   of,   32,    33,    35. 

election  of,  32. 

holding  meetings,  33. 

in  election  of  General   Conference   delegates.   42. 

in  trials,   27. 

qualifications   of,   32. 

records  of,   33. 

report,    form   of,    206. 

visiting  sick  and  delinquent,  33. 
Class-stewards  : 

appointment   of,   33. 

collection  for  pastor,  33. 

dismissal  of,  34. 

duties  of,  33,  34. 

in  election  of  General  Conference  delegates,  42. 

presiding  elder,  34. 

report,  form  of,  206. 
Collections  : 

general,   68. 

missionary,  68. 

for  pastor,  33. 
College-extension  courses,  159. 
Colleges  : 

conference  cooperation,  158. 

endowment  funds,  158. 

establishing  new  colleges,   158. 


214  INDEX 

establishment  of,   155. 

extension  courses,  159. 

industrial  education,  158. 

musical  training,  I59. 

religious  training,  159. 

rules  relating  to,  157. 

standard  of  courses  for,  158. 
Colorado  Conference,   boundary  of,  168. 
Columbia  River  Conference,   bouadary  of,   168. 
Committees  : 

for  examination  of  elders,   54. 

for  trial  of  annual-conference  preachers,  61. 

for  trial  of  quarterly-conference  preachers,  60. 

for  trial  of  members,  27. 

to  edit  Discipline,  208. 
Conference  : 

annual,  see  Annual  Conference. 

General,  see  General  Conference. 

quarterly,   see  Quarterly   Conference. 
Confession  of  Faith,   14,   18. 

changes  in,   18,   19. 

of  the  Christian   Sabbath,  16. 

of  the  Church,   15. 

of  creation  and  providence,   14. 

of  depravity,  15. 

of  the  future  state,  16. 

of  God   and  the   Holy  Trinity,   14. 

of  the  Holy   Ghost,   14. 

of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  15. 

of  Jesus   Christ,    14. 

of  justification,  16. 

of  regeneration   and  adoption,   16. 

of  the  sacraments,  15. 

of  sanctification,   16. 
Constitution  of  Church,  17. 

amendments  to,  19. 

in   force,   19. 
Contests,   43. 

Contribution   card,    formula   for,   207,   208. 
Corner-stone  laying,  formula  for,  188. 
Courses   of    reading   and   study : 

for  annual-conference  preachers,  78. 

for  deaconesses,  73,  74. 

for   German   preachers,   80. 

for  quarterly-conference  preachers,   49,    76. 

completing  the  course,   81. 

examinations.   77. 

Seminary  graduates,  81. 


INDEX  215 


Courses  of  study  in  the  colleges  : 

extension  courses,  159. 

standard  of,   158. 
Court  of  appeals,   18,  82. 

Day  of  prayer  for  students,  157. 
Deacons,   34. 
Deaconesses,  72. 

certificate  form  of,   200. 

certificate  of  consecration,  form  of,  200. 

consecration  of,  186. 

course  of   study,   73. 

German  course  of  study,   74. 

homes   for,   73. 

in   local  churches,   72. 
Dead,   formula  for  burial  of,   195. 
Dedication  of   churches,   formula  for,   189. 
Delegates   to  the  General   Conference  : 

expenses  of,  44. 

how  elected,  41. 
Delinquent  non-resident  members,  31. 
Disbanding  classes,  32. 
Discipline  : 

editors  of,   208. 

in  effect,   208. 

power  to  repeal,  17. 
Dismissals  : 

of  class-leaders.  33. 

of  class-stewards,   34. 
Disobedience  to  order  of  Church,   27. 
Disputes.  28. 
Districts  : 

annual  conference,  168. 

bishops',   167. 
Divorce  and  divorced  persons,  rule  regarding,  86. 
Doctrinal  publications,   153. 
Duties  of  members,  23. 

cai'e  of  poor,  25. 

delinquent   membeivs,   24. 

family   piety,    23. 

love  to  others,   23. 

means  of  grace,  23. 

necessity  of  union,  26. 

nonconformity   to   world,   25. 

obedience,  24,  26. 

receiving  ministers.  25. 

Sabbath  observance,  23. 

Sabbath   schools,   24. 


216  INDEX 

singing,  23. 

support  of  general   interests,   24. 

support  of  gospel,  24. 

Young  People's  societies,  24. 

East  District^  bishops',  167. 

Easter   offering,    146. 

Bast  Pennsylvania  Conference,  boundary  of,   169. 

East  Nebraska  Conference,   boundary  of,   169. 

East  Ohio  Conference,  boundary  of,  169. 

East  Tennessee   Conference,   boundary  of,   170. 

Education  : 

academies,  157. 

Boaid  of,  see  Education,  Board  of. 

colleges,  see  Colleges. 

college-extension  courses,  159. 

Union  Biblical   Seminary,   see  Union  Biblical  Seminarj'. 
Education,  Board  of  : 

beneficiary   aid,   155. 

collections  for,   156. 

constitution  of,   154. 

delinquents,    156. 

education  day,   157. 

establishment  of  schools,  155. 

executive  committee  of,  156. 

general  aim,   154. 

objects  of,  154. 

officers  of,   154. 

organization,  154. 

publications,   155. 

quadrennial   report,    157. 

recommendations  to,   156. 

reports   and   recommendations,    155. 
Education   Day,    157. 
Educational   institution,   see  Education. 
Educational  sermon  required,   156. 
Elders  : 

duties  of,  54. 

election  to  orders,  54. 

examining  committee,  duties  of,  54. 

examination  of  candidates  for  orders,   54. 

in  the  General  Conference,  17. 

ordination  of,  58. 
formula  for,  181. 

questions  regarding  candidates,   54. 

who  are,  52. 
Election  of   General   Conference   delegates  : 

conference  representation,  41. 

publication  of  results,  43. 

returns  of,  43. 


INDEX  217 

Electioneering   forbidden.   40. 
Erie  Conference,   boundary  of.   170. 
Estimating  committee,  35,   38. 
Evangelists  : 

authorized,  53. 

work   of,    69. 
Examinations  : 

of  annual   conferences,   18,   44. 

of  annual  conference  preachers,  77. 

of  deaconesses,  72. 

of  quarterly   conference  preachers.    77. 

of  preachers  regarding  life,  40. 
Exchange  of  pastors  by  presiding  elder.  56. 
Expelled  preachers  not  to  be  received,  51. 
Expulsion  : 

of  annual-conference  preachers,   62. 

of  quarterly-conference  preachers,  61. 

Family  piety,  23,  86. 
Fast  days,   58. 

Foreign  mission  conferences  : 
China,    177. 
Japan,   177. 
Philippines,    177. 
Porto  Rico,   177. 
West  Africa,   177. 
Foreign  Missionary  Society,  18,   123. 
Forms  : 

Apostles'  Creed,  196. 

bequests,  to  Board  of  Church  Trustees,  201. 

to  Church  Erection  Society,  201. 

to  Missionary  Societies,  200. 

to  Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary,  201. 

to  Woman's  Missionary  Association,   201. 
certificates  and  licenses,  198. 
certificates  of  membership,  198. 

of  a  deaconess,   200. 

of  consecration  of  a  deaconess,   200. 

of  return,   198. 

of  transfer  of  member,   198. 

of  withdrawal,  198. 
class-leader's  report,   206. 
class-steward's   report,   206. 
contribution   card,   207,   208. 
license,    for    annual-conference    preachers.    199. 

for  elder,   199. 

for  lay   preachers,   199. 

for  quarterly-conference  preachers,   199. 

for  quarterly-conference   preachers — permanent,   199. 


218  INDEX 

pastor's   report  to  quarterly   conference.   202. 
pastor's  quarterly  report  to  presiding  elder,  203. 
report  of  president  of  Young  People's   Society,   206. 
Sabbath-school  superintendent's  report,   205. 
transfer  of  preachers.   200. 

treasurer's   report   of  Board   of  Church   Trustees,   206. 
Formulas  : 

baptism  of  adults,   179. 

baptism  of  children,   180. 

burial  of  the  dead,  195. 

church   dedication,    189. 

consecration   of   a   deaconess,    186. 

consecration  of  a  foreign  missionary.   184. 

consecration  of  a  home  missionary,  183. 

holy  communion,  180. 

laying  of  corner-stone.   188. 

marriage   ceremony,    192. 

with  ring,  194. 
ordination  of  elders.    181. 
reception  of  members  into  the  Church,   178. 

General  Conference : 

absent  voters  for  delegates,  42. 

appeals  to,  83. 

bishops'    announcement   of   representation,   41. 

blanks,  42. 

boards  of  trustees,  44, 

boundaries  of  annual  conferences.   18. 

canvassing  and  publication   of  returns,  43. 

composition  of,   17,  41. 

contests,  43. 

duties  of,  17. 

election   boards,   42. 

election  of  delegates  to,  17,  41. 

of  oflBcers,  44. 
election   returns,   42. 
entertainment  of,  44. 
examination  of  annual  conferences,  44. 
expenses   of   delegates,    44, 
expense  fund,  44, 
limitation  and  restriction,   18. 
location  of,  44. 
members   of,   17,   41. 
nomination,  of  lay  delegates,  41, 

of  ministerial  delegates,  41, 
nominees,  list  of,  42. 
number  of  annual   conferences,   18. 
power,  18,  19. 
presiding  officers  of,  18,  57. 


INDEX  219 

quorum,   17. 

representation   in,  41. 

tellers  to  count  votes  for  delegates,  41. 

time  of  convening,   17. 
General  Church  Treasurer,  45. 
General   steward  : 

how  elected,  37. 

member  of  quarterly  conference,  36. 
Georgia  Conference,   170. 

German  churches,  transfer  to  English  and  vice  versa,  89. 
Going  to  law,  28. 
Government,  obedience  to.   24. 
Government   of   the  Church,   32. 
Grant  fund,   147. 

Historical  Society  : 

constitution  of,  163. 

funds,    165. 

General    Conference,   recognition   ci,    163. 

location,   163. 

meetings,   166. 

members  of,   163,   164. 

object,   163. 

officers   of,    164,    165. 

property  of,  165. 
History  of  the  Church,  outline  of,  9. 
Home   Missionary   Society,   117. 
Home  training  of  children,   69. 

Immoral   conduct,   27. 

Incorporation   of  Boards   of   Trustees : 

for  church-houses  and  parsonages,   S7. 

for   general   church   property,    90. 
Indiana  Conference,  boundary  of,  170, 
Intoxicating  drinks,   84. 
Insurance  of   church  property,   88.   147. 
Iowa  State  Conference,   boundary  of,  170. 
Itinerancy,  19,  65. 
Itinerants,  see  Preachers,  itinerant. 

Japan  Mission  Conference^  177, 

Kentucky  Conference  District^  170. 

Lay  delegates  • 

in  the  annual  conferences,  39. 

in  the  General   Conference,   17,  41. 


220  INDEX 

Lay  preachers : 

duties  of,  47. 

how  licensed,  47. 

renewal  of  license,  47. 

trial  of,  60. 
Leaders,  class,  see  Class-leaders. 
License  : 

granting  : 

to  annual-conference  preachers,  50. 

to  lay  preachers,  37,  47. 

to  preachers  by  quarterly  conference,  37,  49. 

renewal  of  : 

lay  preacher's,   47. 
quarterly-conference  preacher's,   49. 
Licentiates  : 

probation  of,  53. 

who  they  are,  53. 
Limit  of  certificate   of  members.    30. 
Limit  of  transfer  of  preachers,  51. 
Literature  : 

circulation   of   general   church,   67. 

in   Sunday  schools,  97. 
Loans  of  Church-Erection   Society,  146. 
Local   Preachers,   see  Preachers,   local. 
Lord's  Prayer,  196. 
Lord's   Supper  : 

doctrine  of,  15. 

formula  for,   180. 

preparation  for,  34. 

presiding  elder  to  administer,  54. 
Lot  fund,   148. 

Louisiana   Conference,   boundary  of,   170. 
Lower   Wabash   Conference,  boundary  of,   171. 

Marriage  : 

formula  for,    192,    194. 

marriage  i-elation,   86. 

who  may  solemnize,  63. 
Members  of  Church  : 

acceptance  of  applicants,  22. 

amenability   of  certified    members,    30. 

apportionments  to,   38. 

certificate  of  withdrawal,   31. 

committee  on   applicants,   22. 

delinquent  members,  24. 

delinquent  non-residents,  31. 

duties  of : 

care  of  the  poor,  25. 
duty  of  obedience,  26. 


INDEX  221 

family  pietj'.  23. 

love  to  others,  23. 

means  of  grace,  23. 

necessity  of  union,  26. 

non-conformity  to  the  world,  25. 

obedience  to  government,  24. 

receiving  ministers,  25. 

Sabbath  observance,  23. 

Sabbath   schools,   24. 

singing.    23. 

support   of  gospel,   24. 
membership  of  preachers,  31. 
preacher's   responsibility   in   reception   of,   23. 
questions  to  applicants,   21. 
receiving  persons  from  other  churches,  22. 
reception  of,  21. 
seekers,  22. 

support  of  general  interests,  24. 
transfer  of,   29. 

certificate  of,  29. 
form  for,   198. 

certificate  of  recommendation,  30. 

limit   of   certificate,   30. 

notice  of  forwarding  certificate,   30. 

notice  of  reception  of  certificate,  30. 
trial  of,  26. 

disobedience  to  order  of  church,   27. 

disputes,   28. 

going   to   law  forbidden,   28. 

immoral  conduct,  27. 

order  in  trials,  29. 

personal  trespass,  26. 

record  of  trials,  29. 

right  of  appeal,  28. 
Young  People's  Society,  24. 
Membership,   ministry,   and  government  of  the   Church,  21. 
Membership  of  preachers,  31. 
Miami   Conference,    boundary  of,   171. 
Michigan  Conference,  boundary  of,  171. 
Ministerial  Relief  Bureau  : 
management,   70. 

method  of  relief,  70. 

object,    70. 
rights  of  annual  conferences.  71. 
source  of  income,  70. 
Ministry   of   Church  : 

annual-conference   preachers,    see   Preachers,    annual-confer- 
ence, 
bishops,  sec  Bishops. 


222  INDEX 

classification  of.  52. 
eldei's,   see  Elders, 
lay  preachers,  see  Lay  Prea.cbers. 
marriage,   who   may  solemnize.   63. 
preachers'  duties  in  general,   63. 
preparation  for,   81. 
presiding  elders,   see   Presiding  Elders. 

quarterly-conference    preachers,     see    Preachers,    quarterly- 
conference, 
reception  of  preachers  from  other  churches,  52. 
trial  of  preachers,  see  Trials. 
Minnesota   Conference,    boundary    of,    171. 
Mission   conferences,   organization   of,    59. 
Mission  districts,  120. 
Missionaries  : 

duties  of,   121. 
salaries  of,    121. 
Missionary  Association,   Woman's,  see  Woman's  Missionary   As- 
sociation. 
Missionary   Day,    127. 
Missionary   Societies  : 
xi'oreign  : 

annual   conference  treasurer.   126. 

bequests,   form  of,   200. 

board  of  directors,   123. 
duties  of,   123. 

branch   organizations.    125. 

conferences,   177. 

course  of  study  and  rules.  130. 

constitution,  123. 

executive   committee,   duties  of.   124. 

functions,  123. 

general   secretary,    duties   of,   125. 

local  organization,   125. 

membership,  123. 

ministry,  relation  of.   126. 

missionaries,  128. 

mission  council.   128. 

mission   conference,   128. 
powers  and  duties  of,  129. 
representation,   129. 

missionary  day.   127. 

mission  districts,  127. 

name.    123. 

officers,    124. 

organization.    123. 

Sunday  scliool.  relation  of.  127. 

superintendents.  127. 

supervision  of,   60. 

treasurer,  duties   of.   126. 

under   control   of   General    Conference,    IS. 


JNDEX  223 


Home" : 

assessments  for,    119. 

bequests  to,    120. 
form   of,   200. 

board  of  control,  duties  of.   118. 
duties  of,   118. 

branch  officers,   119. 

branch  societies.   119. 

constitution,   117. 

day  of  prayer  for.   120. 

duties   of   bishops,    121. 

duties  of  pastors,  121. 

funds,   119. 

local   organization.    120. 

mission  districts.   120. 

missionaries,   121. 

missionary  day,  119. 

officers,  duties  of,   118. 

organization,   117. 

special  support,  120. 

Sunday   schools,   relation  of,   119. 

text-book,   121. 

treasurer's  security,   122. 

under   control   of  General   Conference,   18. 

unoccupied  territory,   120. 
Woman's,  see  Woman's  Missionary  Association, 
Mission  Conferences,  177. 
Missouri   Conference,   boundary  of,   171. 
Moral  reform,  84. 
family,   86. 

oaths,   86.  • 

Sabbath   observance,  85. 
secret  combinations,   85. 
slavery,  85. 
temperance,   84. 
war,  86. 
Moving  the  preacher,  70. 

Neosho  Conference^  boundary  of,   171. 

New  schools,  formation  of,  158. 

Nonconformity  to  the  world,  25.  ' 

Northeast  Kansas  Conference,  boundary  of,  172. 

Northern   Illinois   Conference,   boundary  of.   172. 

North   Nebraska   Conference,   boundary   of,   172. 

North  Texas  Confe4-ence.  17:5. 

Northwest   Kansas  Conference,    boundary  of.   17.3. 

Oaths,  86. 

Obedience,  duty  of.  26. 


224  INDEX 

Official  boards  : 

duties  of,  35. 

executive   council,   36. 

members  of,  35. 

review  by  quarterly  conference,  lliy. 

revision  of  records  by,   36. 
Ohio  German   Conference,  boundary  of.   173. 
Oklahoma   Conference,    boundary  of.    173. 
Old  People's  Home,  45. 
Orders,  election  to  elders',  54. 
Ordination  : 

of  elders,   53.   58. 
formula  for,   181. 
Oregon   Conference,   boundary   of.   173. 
Origin  of  the  Church,  9. 
Orphanages,   45. 

Pacific  District,  167. 
Parsonages  : 

abandoned,  89. 
building  of.  88. 

conditions  of  mortgages   and   liens,   89. 
conference   or  district   property.   90. 
division   of   interest   in,   90. 
duty  of  churches  to  provide,   70. 
real  estate,  90. 
sale  or  rent  of,  88. 
trustees   of,    87. 
Pastor  : 

collections   for.   33. 

duties  of,   see   Preachers,    itinerant — duties  of,   35,   66. 
duty  of  members  to  receive,  25. 
resignation  of,  65. 
Pastoral   charges,   66. 
Pastoral  visiting,  68. 

Pennsylvania   Conference,   boundary  of   174. 
Poor,   care  of,   25. 
Preachers  : 

annual-conference  : 
accountability  of,  52. 
Bible  cause,  52. 

church  membership  of  preachers,  31. 
classification  of,  52. 
course  of  reading  for,   77. 
directions   to,   63. 
educational    requirements.    50. 
elders,  see  Elders, 
evangelists,  53,   69. 
examination  of,  49,  77. 


INDEX  225 


exemption    from   examination.    51. 
expelled  preacher,  51. 
form  of  license,  199. 
how   received,   49. 

itinerants,  see  Preachers,  itinerant, 
licentiates,  53. 
limit  of  transfer,  51. 
local  preachers,   19,  53. 
membership   in  church   required,   31. 
qualifications  of.   50. 
reception  of,   25. 
responsibility  of,  23. 

sacraments  and  unordained  preachers,   51. 
transfer  of,  51. 
trial  of,  61. 
general  duties,  63. 
preachers  not  to  trespass.   64. 
itinerant : 

annual   reorganization.   67. 

circulation   of  literature,   67. 

classification  of,  52. 

collections  by,  68. 

defined,  53. 

dismissal   of  appointments,   68. 

duties  of,  66. 

in  the  transfer  of  members,  29. 

to  Sunday  schools,  95. 

to  the  poor,  25. 
employment  of  other  than  itinerants,  66. 
evangelistic  work,  69. 
examination  by   annual   conference,  40. 
how  constituted,  65. 
membership  in  church  required,  31. 
ministerial   relief,   70. 
missionary   contribution,   68. 
moving  of,  70. 
parsonages,   70. 
pastoral  charges,  66. 
pastoral  visiting,  68. 
power   to   exchange,   56. 
presiding  at  trials,  67. 
records  of,   68. 
reports  of,  67,  202,  203. 
resignation   of,    65. 
revision  of  records,  67. 
salaries  of,  69. 
stationing  of,  65. 

appeal   fi'om,   66. 
stewards'  duties  regarding,  34. 


22G  IXDEX 

superannuated,   53,   70. 

supernumerary,  53. 

support  of,  24,  69. 

training  of  children,   G9. 

wittidrawal  of,  65. 
lay  : 

duties  of,  47. 

how  licensed,  47. 

renewal  of  license,  47. 

trial  of,  60. 
local,  defined,  53. 
quarterly  conference  : 

course  of  reading  for,  49,  76. 

examination  of,  48,  77. 

license  of,  47,  77. 

recom^aendation  to  annual  conference,  49. 

renewal  of  license,   37,  49. 

required  to  hold  church  membership,  31. 

trial   of,   37,   60. 

restrictions  upon,  64. 
preachers  from  other  churches,  52. 
Presiding  elders  : 

duties  of,   55,   147. 

in  election  of  General  Conference  delegates.  42. 

regarding   incorporation   of   church   trustees,   56. 

regarding  Young  People's  societies,  56. 
election  of,  55. 
power  to  dismiss  pastors,  56. 
power  to  exchange  pastors,  56. 
reports  of,   56. 
stationing  of,  55. 
support  of,   55. 
trial  of,  62. 
vacancies  filled,  56. 
Presiding-elder  steward.  33,  34. 
Printing  Establishment  : 
book   committee,    152. 
doctrinal  publications.  153. 
election  of  oflicers.   150. 
employment  of  time,   152. 
local  committee,  150. 
name,   150. 
proceeds  of,  152. 
publishing  agent,  duties  of,  151. 
trustees — election  and  duties.  150. 
under  control  of  General  Conference.   18. 
vacancies,  152. 


INDEX 

Property  : 

church-houses  and  parsonages,  87. 

of  General   Board  of  Church  Trustees.  91. 

title  to,  19. 
Publications,  Church,  152. 
Publishing  House,  see  Printing  Establishment. 

QLARTERI.Y    CONFERENCE  : 

appeal   to  annual   conference,   38. 

appeals  and  trials,  37. 

apportionment   to   members.   38. 

duties  and  powers  of,  37. 

estimating  committee  appointed   by  the,  38. 

examination    of    applicants    for    license.    48. 

examination  on  course  of  study,  77. 

general    steward   appointed    by,    37. 

licensing  of  preachers,  37,  47. 

members   of,  36. 

place  of  meeting,  38. 

quorum  for  transaction  of  business,   36. 

recommending  preachers  to  annual   conference,   37,  49. 

rehewing  licenses,  37.  49. 

reviewing  acts  of  official  board,  36. 

trial   by,   60. 

Real   estate  for  church   purposes,   90. 
Reception  of  ministers  by   local   church,  25. 
Records : 

church,   68. 

of  class-leaders,  33. 

of  trials,  29. 

revision  of,  67. 
Reorganization  of  classes,  67. 
Reports  : 

of  bishops,  59. 

of  pastors,   67,   202,  203. 

of  presiding  elders,  56. 

of  proceedings  of  General  Conference  authorized.  152. 
Representation  in  the  General  Conference,  17,  41. 
Revision  of  church   records,  67. 
Right  of  appeal,  28. 

.Sabbath  observance.   16,  23.  85. 
Sacraments  : 

baptism   and  the  Lord's  Supper.   15. 

formulas   for   administering,    179.    180. 
S«alaries  : 

of  bishops,   57. 

of  church-erection   secretary.   145. 


228  INDEX 

of  editors,   150. 

general  church  treasurer,  45. 

of  missionaries,  69,  121. 

of  missionary  secretary  and  treasurer,  118. 

of  pastors,   69. 

of  presiding  elders,  55. 

of  publishing  agent,  150. 
Sandusky  Conference,   boundary  of,   174. 
Secret  combinations  : 

constitutional   provision,    19. 

law   on,    85. 
Secretaries  of  annual   conferences,  39. 
Security  of  missionary  treasurer,  45. 
Seekers,   22. 

Seminary  graduates.   81. 
Sermons,  special : 

by  bishops,  59. 

on  education,  156. 

on  missions,  68. 
Singing,  23. 
Slavery,   19,   85. 

Southeast  Ohio  Conference,  boundary  of,   175. 
Southern   District,   167. 

Southwest  Kansas  Conference,  boundary  of,  174. 
Special  rules,  84. 

St.  Joseph  Conference,  boundary  of,   175. 
Stationing  committee  : 

appeal   from,   66. 

for  bishops,   57. 

for  pastors,  65. 

for  presiding  elders,  55. 

time  of  reporting,  66. 
Stewards,   see   Class-stewards,    General    steward,    and   Presiding- 

elder  steward. 
Sunday-School,  Brotherhood,  and  Young  People's  Work  : 

annual   conference  relations,   95. 

board  of  control.   92. 

constitution   of   General    Board,    92. 

duties  of  officers,  94. 

executive   committee,   93. 

funds,   93. 

members  of   board,  92. 

meetings,  93. 

object,  92. 

officers,  93. 

pastor's  relations,  95. 

secretaries,  93. 

under  control  of  General  Conference,  18. 

vacancies,  93. 


INDEX  229 

Sunday-school  work,  96. 

children's  day,   96. 

constitution  for,  96. 

duties  of  superintendent,   96. 

duty  of  members  toward,  23. 

elections  in,  97. 

form  of  superintendent's  report,  205. 

missions   in,   97. 

organization  of,   96. 

pastor's  relation  to,   95. 

relation  to  missionary  work,  97,  119,  127. 
Superannuated  ministers  : 

itinerants,  53. 

support  of,  70. 
Superintendents  of  Sunday  schools,  96,  97. 

election  by  quarterly  conference  provided  for,  97. 
Superintendents'   Association,  57. 
Supernumerary  ministers,  53. 
Support  of  general   interests,  24. 
Support  of  the  gospel,  24. 
Suspension  of  preachers,  61,  62. 

Teachers  of  Sunday  schools,  97. 
Tellers  : 

annual-conference,  41. 

local,  41,  42. 
Temperance,   84. 

commission,   84. 

day,    84. 
Thanksgiving  days,  bishops  may  appoint,  58. 
Tobacco,  48,   50,   84. 
Transfers  : 

of  members,   29,   198. 

of  preachers,  51,  200. 

limit  of  transfer,  51. 
Transfer  and  withdrawal  of  members  : 

amenability  of  members,  30. 

certificate  of,  29. 

certificate  of  recommendation,  30. 
of  withdrawal,  31. 

delinquent   non-resfdent   members,    31. 

limit  of  certificates,  30. 

membership  of  preachers,  31. 

notice  of  forwarding  certificate,  30. 

notice   of  I'eception  on   cei'tificate,   30. 

non-resident  members,  29. 
Treasurer : 

of  local  church,  35. 

of  missionary  society  : 


230  INDEX 

duties  of.   126. 

sec-urity  of,  45. 
Trials  : 

of  bishops,   62. 

Jay  preachers,  37,  60. 

of  members,  28,  29. 

for  disobedience,  27. 

for  immoral  conduct,  27. 

going  to  law  forbidden,  28. 

in  disputes,   28. 

order  in,  29. 

personal   trespass.   26. 

president  at,  60,  67. 
of  preachers,  60. 

annual-conference,  61. 

quarterly-conference,  37,  60. 
of  presiding  elders,  62. 
records  of,  29. 
Trustees  : 

of  churches,  87. 

of  Printing  Establishment,  150. 

of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  91. 

of  Woman's   Missionary   Association,   133. 

UxiON^  necessity  of,  26. 

United  Brethren  Publishing  House,  see  Printing  Establishment. 

Vacancies  : 

in  bishopric,  59. 

in  pastoral  charges.  66. 

in  presiding  elders'   districts,   56. 
Vacant  church-houses  and  parsonages.  89,  146. 
Virginia  Conference,  boundary  of,  175. 
Visiting  by  pastors,  68. 

War,   86. 

West  Africa  Mission  Conference,  boundary  of,  177. 

West  District,  bishops',  167. 

West  Nebraska  Conference,  boundary  of,   176. 

West  Tennessee  Conference,  boundary  of,  176. 

West  Virginia  Conference,   boundary   of.   176. 

White  River  Conference,   boundary  of,  176. 

Wisconsin  Conference,  boundary  of,  176. 

Withdrawal  of  members,  29,  31.  198. 

Women's  Aid  Society,  constitution,   141. 

Woman's  Missionary  Association  : 

articles  of  incorporation,  131. 

board  of  managers,  133. 

branch  constitution,   136. 


INDEX  231 

branch  societies.  13G. 

constitution,  131. 

constitution  of  Young  Women's   Bands,   139. 

form   of   bequest.    201. 

Junior  Christian   Endeavor,   136. 

local  constitution.   138. 

membership,  132. 

officers,  duties  of.   133.   134. 

organization,    132. 

purpose  and  functions,  131. 

relation   to   Church,    115. 

special  funds.  134. 

trustees,  duties  of,  133. 

young   women,    135. 

Young  People's   Work  : 

board  of  control,  relation  to,  103. 

branch  unions,  112. 

constitution  of,   101. 

committees,   and  duties  of.   106. 

dues,   105. 

duties  of  pastors  toward,  95. 

duties  of  presiding  elders  toward.  56. 

elections,    108. 

finances,   106. 

meetings,  106. 

members,   102. 

object,  101. 

officers,  and  duties  of,  102,  103. 

prayer-meetings,    104. 

Junior  Society  : 

committees,  and  duties  of,  110. 

constitution,  108. 

meetings.  111. 

membership,  109. 

object,  109. 

officers,  duties  of,  110. 

pledge,  109. 

relationship.  111. 
presidents  of,  members  of  quarterly  conference,  36. 
relation  to  church,   105. 
reports  to  quai'terly  conference.  206. 
Watchuord  and  Religious  Telescope,  107. 
young  members   to   unite  with.  24. 


